Terminal fitting for flat conductor and method of connecting terminal fitting to flat conductor

Abstract

In a terminal of an FFC (10), upper and lower surfaces of a conductive path (11) are covered with an insulation sheet (12). A terminal fitting (20) for the FFC (10) includes a base plate (22) extended from the rear end of a terminal fitting (20). Contact blades (25) are erected on both side edges of the base plate (22). A pressing plate (23) that can be opened and closed confronts the base plate (22). The contact blades (25) pierce through the rear surface of the conductive path (11) of the FFC (10) and project from the upper surface thereof. The pressing plate (23) then is closed in sliding contact with the contact blades (25) at both side edges of the base plate (22) to press the FFC 10 against the base plate (22). Upper end portions of the contact blades (25) then are crimped to the side edge of the pressing plate (23). Because the FFC (10) is pressed against the base plate (22), the conductive path (11) interposed between the contact blades (25) is straight, horizontal and compressed vertically. Consequently, cut surfaces of the conductive path (11) project widthwise and contact the inner surfaces of the contact blades (25) at a high pressure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.