Granted Patent B2

US 7,144,256 · App. 10/532,838 · Granted Dec 5, 2006

Abstract

Claims (27)

1. A connector arrangement between a flat flex cable and a component of an electrical circuit, wherein the flat flex cable has conductor regions stripped of insulation on only one side of its end being connected, comprising a housing in which the end of the flat flex cable is clamped and in which an elastic element subjects the stripped regions to pressure, the component comprising an uptake for the housing, in which the housing can be locked and in which contact tracks are arranged, against which the stripped regions of the flat flex cable are pressed when the housing is in the final position thereof in the uptake, characterized in that the component is an electrical circuit board and the uptake forms a bracket, which is attached to the circuit board above an arrangement of conductive tracks and the housing is guided laterally and perpendicularly with respect to the circuit board, wherein the housing has a bottom part with at least one opening in the floor, through which the regions of the flat flex cable stripped of insulation can be pressed, and a top part, attached to the bottom part, which has the spring elements opposite the opening, with which the flat flex cable is subjected to pressure.

2. The connector arrangement according to claim 1 , further characterized in that the flat flex cable has perforations on its end that is introduced into the housing, in which a strain relief with retaining pins, which is hinged on the bottom housing part, engages in a lockable manner.

3. The connector arrangement according to claim 1 , further characterized in that the elastic element consists of one or more steel leaf springs.

4. The connector arrangement according to claim 1 , further characterized in that the top housing part is hinged on its front side to the bottom housing part and can be locked in place via catch hooks on the bottom housing part.

5. The connector arrangement according to claim 1 , further characterized in that the housing can be locked in place via catch arms in catch openings on the side walls of the bracket.

6. The connector arrangement according to claim 1 , further characterized in that, on the top inner side of the uptake, there is constructed at least one ramp, which presses, through at least one opening in the top side of the housing, all or individual steel springs downward on the flat flex cable stripped of insulation.

7. A connector arrangement between a flat flex cable and an electrical component, the connector arrangement comprising:

a first housing connected to an end of the flat flex cable;

at least one elastic element connected to the first housing; and

a second housing connected to the electrical component and having at least a portion of the first housing removably connected therein,

wherein the flat flex cable comprises a plurality of conductors and electrical insulation surrounding and separating the conductors, wherein the end of the flat flex cable comprises stripped regions having the electrical insulation removed from the conductors on a first side of the flat flex cable at the stripped regions,

wherein the at least one elastic element is located against an opposite second side of the end of the cable and presses the stripped regions into contact with electrical contact surfaces of the electrical component in an area at least partially bounded by the second housing, wherein the first housing comprises a bottom part and a top part, wherein the at least one elastic element is connected to the top part, and wherein the top part is pivotably connected to the bottom part.

8. A connector arrangement as in claim 7 wherein the at least one elastic element comprises a metal spring.

9. A connector arrangement as in claim 8 wherein the metal spring has a form of a comb with spring steel strips parallel to one another.

10. A connector arrangement as in claim 7 wherein the at least one elastic element comprises a plurality of metal springs, each spring pressing against the insulation on the second side of the cable directly opposite one of the stripped regions.

11. A connector arrangement as in claim 7 wherein the at least one elastic element comprises a bent back free end.

12. A connector arrangement as in claim 7 wherein the electrical insulation of the cable has perforations, and the first housing has retaining pins located in the perforations which form a strain relief.

13. A connector arrangement as in claim 7 wherein the at least one elastic element is directly contacted by the second housing.

14. A connector arrangement as in claim 13 wherein, when the first housing and the at least one elastic element are inserted into the second housing, at an end of insertion the at least one elastic element contacts a ramp on the second housing to press the at least one elastic element against the flat flex cable.

15. Electrical connection components comprising:

a first housing part having at least one aperture therethrough;

a second housing part connected to the first housing part, wherein the first and second housing parts are adapted to capture a portion of a flat flex cable therebetween with a section of the flat flex cable having stripped regions being located at the at least one aperture, wherein the stripped regions are located on a first side of the cable facing outward at the at least one aperture; and

at least one elastic element connected to the second housing part, wherein the at least one elastic element comprises a metal member with at least one spring strip sized and shaped to be located between the first and second housing proximate the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one elastic element is adapted to contact an opposite side of the flat flex cable and push the cable outward into the at least one aperture.

16. Electrical connection components as in claim 15 wherein the first housing part is pivotably connected to the second housing part.

17. Electrical connection components as in claim 15 wherein the second housing part comprises at least one opening at a portion of the at least one elastic element to allow a housing of an electrical component, which the electrical connection components are adapted to be at least partially inserted into, to press against the at least one elastic element.

18. Electrical connection components as in claim 15 wherein the at least one elastic element comprises a comb with spring steel strips parallel to one another.

19. Electrical connection components as in claim 15 wherein the spring steel strips comprise bent back free ends.

Assignments (8)