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US 11,909,137 B2Granted
Spring clip header for flat flexible cable
AssigneeTE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
InventorGalen M. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for a flat flexible cable includes a housing defining a receptacle receiving the flat flexible cable, and an actuator movably mounted to the housing. A conductive terminal is positioned within the receptacle and includes a first portion arranged in contact with the actuator, and a surface mounting tab extending through the housing and having an end positioned on an exterior surface of the housing. The first portion of the terminal is biased between an open position and a clamping position by the actuator.
Claims20
A connector, comprising:
- a housing defining a receptacle sized to receive a flat flexible cable;
- an actuator movably mounted to the housing;
- and
- a conductive terminal arranged within the receptacle, including:
- a first portion arranged in contact with the actuator and including a first arm and a second arm attached to the first arm, the first and second arms defining an opening therebetween sized to receive an exposed conductor of the flat flexible cable, the first portion of the terminal biased by the actuator between an open position and a clamping position, the terminal defining a self-locking spring clip in which one of the first arm or the second arm defines a latch for retaining the terminal in the clamping position;
- and
- a mounting portion extending from the first portion of the terminal and through the housing, the mounting portion having an end exposed on an exterior surface of the housing.
4 more elements
A connector assembly, comprising:
- a flat flexible cable having a plurality of conductors exposed through an insulation material on an end section of the cable and on at least one of a top or bottom side of the cable;
- and
- a plurality of terminals adapted to connect to an electrical device, each terminal including:
- a clamping portion engaging with the exposed conductors of the flat flexible cable and including a first arm and a second arm attached to the first arm, the first and second arms defining an opening therebetween sized to receive an exposed conductor of the flat flexible cable;
- and
- a conductive mounting portion extending from the clamping portion for connecting to the electrical device;
- and
- an actuator biasing the clamping portions between an open position in which the flat flexible cable is received by the clamping portions, and a clamping position in which the exposed conductors of the flat flexible cable are fixed to the terminals, the plurality of terminals defining self-locking spring clips in which one of the first arm or the second arm of each terminal includes a latch for retaining the terminal in the clamping position, the first arm of each of the terminals electrically contacting a respective one of the exposed conductors in the clamping position.
5 more elements
A connector, comprising:
- a housing defining a receptacle sized to receive a flat flexible cable;
- an actuator movably mounted to the housing;
- and
- a conductive terminal arranged within the receptacle, including:
- a first portion arranged in contact with the actuator, having:
- a first arm;
- and
- a second arm attached to the first arm, the first and second arms defining an opening therebetween sized to receive an exposed conductor of the flat flexible cable in an insertion direction, the first portion of the terminal biased by the actuator between an open position in which the flat flexible cable is insertable into the opening, and a clamping position in which a position of the first arm is fixed relative to the second arm;
- and
- a hook-shaped portion defined on the first arm and having a free end extending at least partially in a direction opposite the insertion direction, the free end defining a contact surface opposing the second arm;
- a mounting portion extending from the first portion of the terminal and through the housing, the mounting portion having an end exposed on an exterior surface of the housing.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.