Connector for connecting flexible substrates

An electrical connector for connecting a pattern of conductors in a flexible flat cable to a circuit comprising:

• a housing;
• said housing including a slot for receiving an end of said flexible flat cable;
• a plurality of contacts in said housing alignable with said pattern of conductors when said end is inserted into said slot;
• a slider having a pressing plate thereon;
• said pressing plate being insertable into said slot adjacent said flexible flat cable;
• at least one of said housing and said pressing plate having a shape which urges said pressing plate into firm contact with a surface of said flexible cable as said pressing plate is inserted, whereby said pattern of conductors is urged into stable electrical contact with said plurality of contacts and said housing provides a minimum profile;
• a first and a second guide frame on said housing;
• a first arm and a second arm on said slider;
• said first arm and said second arm slidably engaging each respective said first and said second guide frame, whereby said housing guides said slider into uniform close contact;
• a lever;
• an open position and a closed position on said slider;
• and
• said lever engagable with said slider and operating said slider between said open position and said closed position, whereby said lever urges said slider into uniform close contact with said housing as said pressing plate is inserted in said slot.

An electrical connector for connecting a pattern of conductors in a flexible substrate to a circuit comprising:

• a housing;
• a plurality of contacts in said housing for electrical connection to said circuit;
• said housing including means for receiving said flexible substrate in a clearance position in said housing;
• said means for receiving including means for aligning said pattern of conductors with said plurality of contacts when an end of said flexible substrate is received into said housing;
• means for engaging said flexible substrate to force said pattern of conductors into firm electrical connection with said plurality of contacts;
• said means for engaging said flexible substrate moving longitudinally with respect to said housing, said means for engaging said flexible substrate providing uniform contact with a surface of said flexible substrate;
• and
• at least one of said housing and said means for engaging having a shape which urges said pattern of conductors into secure electrical connection with said plurality of contacts in a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction, whereby said electrical connector minimizes required operating space, eliminates interference from said flexible substrate and provides uniform contact pressure.

An electrical connector for connecting a pattern of conductors in a flexible flat cable to a circuit comprising:

• a housing;
• a plurality of contacts in said housing for electrical connection to said circuit;
• said housing including means for receiving said flexible substrate in a clearance position in said housing;
• said means for receiving including means for aligning said pattern of conductors with said plurality of contacts when an end of said flexible substrate is received into said housing;
• means for engaging said flexible substrate to force said pattern of conductors into firm electrical connection with said plurality of contacts;
• at least one of said housing and said means for engaging having a shape which urges said pattern of conductors into secure electrical connection with said plurality of contacts in a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction, whereby said electrical connector minimizes required operating space, eliminates interference from said flexible substrate and provides uniform contact pressure;
• a slider in said means for engaging;
• said slider slidably engaging said housing;
• a pressing plate on said slider slidably insertable in said means for receiving;
• said pressing plate resiliently urging said pattern of conductors into secure electrical connection with said plurality of contacts
• means for operating said slider between a projected position and a recessed position;
• said means for operating providing a uniform insertion force along a width direction of said flexible substrate during engagement;
• a lever in said means for operating;
• said lever engaging said slider to operate said slider between said projected position and said recessed position;
• and
• said lever receiving a closing force and magnifying said closing force applied to said slider thereby maximizing said urging and permitting said electrical connection to said circuit with a minimum effort.

An electrical connector for connecting a pattern of conductors in a flexible substrate to a circuit, comprising:

• a housing;
• said housing including a slot for receiving an end of said flexible substrate;
• a plurality of contacts in said housing alignable with said pattern of conductors when said end is inserted into said slot;
• a slider having a pressing plate thereon;
• said pressing plate being insertable into said slot adjacent said flexible substrate;
• at least one of said housing and said pressing plate having a shape which urges said pressing plate into firm contact with a surface of said flexible substrate as said pressing plate is inserted whereby said pattern of conductors is urged into stable electrical connection with said plurality of contacts;
• means for operating said slider between a projected position and a recessed position;
• said means for operating providing a uniform insertion force along a width direction of said flexible substrate during insertion;
• a lever in said means for operating;
• said lever engaging said slider to operate said slider between said projected position and said recessed position;
• and
• said lever magnifying a closing force applied to said slider, thereby maximizing said urging and permitting said electrical connection to said circuit with a minimum effort.

A flexible substrate connector for connecting a pattern of conductors in a flexible substrate to a circuit, comprising:

• a housing;
• a plurality of contacts in said housing for electrically connecting said circuit;
• an insertion slot in said housing for receiving an end of said flexible substrate;
• said plurality of contacts alignable with said pattern of conductors when said end is inserted into said slot;
• a slider slidably engaging said housing;
• a pressing plate on said slider slidably insertable in said housing through said insertion slot adjacent said flexible substrate;
• a lever rotatably engaging said housing;
• said lever camably engaging said slider to operate said slider between an inserted position and a closed position, whereby said lever provides a uniform engaging force along a width direction of said slider during an insertion of said flexible connector and minimizes required operating space;
• and
• at least one of said housing, said pressing plate, and said plurality of contacts having a shape which urges said pressing plate into firm contact with a surface of said flexible substrate as said pressing plate is inserted, whereby said pattern of conductors is urged into stable electrical contact with said plurality of contacts.

A flexible substrate connector, comprising:

• a housing containing a plurality of electrically conductive contacts for electrically connecting to a printed circuit substrate;
• said plurality of contacts elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction;
• said housing including an insertion slot formed for receiving a flexible substrate with a conductor pattern adjacent said plurality of contacts;
• a slider slidably engagable with said housing;
• said slider including a pressing plate member for slidably inserting in said housing;
• lever means for urging said pressing plate member into said housing;
• said pressing plate member pressing said plurality of contacts against said conductor pattern to secure firm electrical connection to said printed circuit substrate;
• said pressing plate member providing resilient urging to said flexible substrate in a direction perpendicular to said insertion direction;
• and
• said plurality of contacts electrically connecting said flexible substrate to said printed circuit substrate whereby said flexible substrate is firmly retained in said housing with zero insertion force and is securely and elastically retained in said housing to ensure stable electrical contact.