Connection structure for printed wiring board

• US 7,497,695 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JST Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: JST Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Yamane, Hiroshi, Miura, Kazuto, Funakoshi, Akihito, Uchida, Shinji
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta; Tho D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, TRAVIS SLOAN
• Application Number:
  US12/071,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20080153319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 439/492, 439/77, 439/67, 439/495, 439/206, 174/117.F
• US Class Current: 439/67
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/79 connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09163 Slotted edge
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/365 by abutting, i.e. without alloying process

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connection structure for a printed wiring board to be electrically connected to a FPC. The FPC has an elongated substrate, and plural conductors are laminated on a surface of the substrate for extending along an axial direction of the substrate. The printed wiring board has an insertion opening provided at an edge surface for being inserted by a top end portion of the FPC, and plural line connecting terminals formed on an internal wall surface of the insertion opening. The top end portion of the FPC has a slider including plural elastic deformable first contacts, and a first housing for holding the plurality of contacts. The FPC is inserted into the insertion opening of the printed wiring board such that one end of the first contact presses the conductor and the other end of the first contact presses the line connecting terminal. The FPC can be connected to the printed wiring board on an edge surface thereof, allowing circuit elements to be mounted in high density, and improving freedom in designing wiring patterns.

Claims

1. A connection structure for a printed wiring board to be electrically connected to a FPC, said FPC comprising:

an elongated substrate; and

a plurality of conductors laminated on a surface of said substrate and extending along an axial direction of said substrate;

said printed wiring board comprising;

an insertion opening;

a plurality of line connecting terminals;

a through hole; and

a communication hole for communicating said through hole and said insertion opening;

said insertion opening provided at an edge surface for a top end portion of said FPC to be inserted, said plurality of said line connecting terminals formed on an internal wall surface of said insertion opening and extending along an insertion direction of said FPC;

said insertion opening comprising and attached therein a relay connector including plural elastic deformable second contacts, and a header and a second housing for holding said plurality of said second contacts;

said second contact comprising a main body and a pair of arms, said main body abutting on said top end portion of said FPC, said pair of said arms extending substantially parallel with each other in said insertion direction of said FPC from said main body and abutting on said line connecting terminal, each of said second contacts is provided with a stationary terminal protruding from a tip of said relay connector;

said header holding said main body of said second contacts with said plurality of said second contacts formed in a row;

said second housing holding one of said arms of said second contacts with said plurality of said second contacts formed in a row, wherein

said pair of arms of said relay connector pinching said conductor of said FPC by inserting said FPC into said insertion opening of said printed wiring board,

said stationary terminal of said relay connector communicates with said communication hole and is attached to said through hole by soldering.

2. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said header is formed by being molded together with said plurality of said second contacts.

3. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said header holds said plurality of said second contacts pressed therein.

4. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said second housing comprises plural substantially parallel grooves formed thereon, the other arms of said second contact is pressed in said plurality of said grooves of said second housing.

5. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said printed wiring board is formed by laminating a first external layer plate, an internal layer plate having a cut out portion formed on the edge surface, and a second external layer plate,

said line connecting terminal is provided at a surface of said first external layer plate facing said cut out portion,

said insertion opening is formed as surrounded by said external layer plate, said cut out portion of said internal layer plate, and said second external layer plate.

6. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said line connecting terminal is further provided at a surface of said second external layer plate facing said cut out portion.

7. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said first external layer plate and said second external layer plate further laminates a prepreg and a copper foil.

8. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said header is formed by being molded together with said plurality of said second contacts.

9. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said header holds said plurality of said second contacts pressed therein.

10. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said second housing comprises plural substantially parallel grooves formed thereon, the other arms of said second contact is pressed in said plurality of said grooves of said second housing.

11. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said printed wiring board is formed by laminating a first external layer plate, an internal layer plate having a cut out portion formed on the edge surface, and a second external layer plate,

said line connecting terminal is provided at a surface of said first external layer plate facing said cut out portion.

12. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein said line connecting terminal of said printed wiring board is hard-plated.

13. A connection structure for a printed wiring board according to claim 12, wherein said line connecting terminal of said printed wiring board is further gold plated on said hard-plated surface.