JP4088966B2

JP4088966B2 - FPC repeater

Info

Publication number: JP4088966B2
Application number: JP2003161528A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 安恒菊池
Original assignee: Funai Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Funai Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-06
Filing date: 2003-06-06
Publication date: 2008-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-06
Also published as: JP2004363000A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、ＦＰＣ（ＦｌｅｘｉｓｉｂｌｅＰｒｉｎｔｅｄＣｉｒｃｕｉｔ）の接続中継に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、プリント基板に形成された配線ライン同士を接続するための様々な技術が開発されている。例えば、特許文献１には、板金基板に形成された複数のリード部とプリント基板に形成された複数のリード部との間に加圧導電性ゴムコネクターを介在させ、板金基板とプリント基板とを緊締固定して加圧伝導性ゴムコネクターに一定圧力を加えて相対向するリード部同士を電気的に接続する技術が開示されている。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
実公平４−４３８６号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、特許文献１の技術を用いて２つのＦＰＣの配線パターンの相対向するリード部同士を電気的に接続したとしても、配線ライン同士の接続を切り換えることはできない。本発明の目的は、ＦＰＣの配線ライン同士の接続を容易に切り換え可能にすることにある。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に記載の発明は、
回転自在な円筒である円筒部と、
前記円筒部の軸方向に沿って前記円筒部の表面に設けられた１対の突起部と、
前記１対の突起部の各々の表面に設けられ、２つのＦＰＣ（ＦｌｅｘｉｓｉｂｌｅＰｒｉｎｔｅｄＣｉｒｃｕｉｔ）の各々の表面に設けられた１または複数の端子と電気的に接触可能な１または複数の中継端子と、
前記１対の突起部のそれぞれに設けられた前記中継端子同士を電気的に接続する導線とを備え、
前記１対の突起部は、前記円筒部の円周における任意の直径上で相対して設けられるとともに、当該突起部の対は、複数対設けられ、
前記円筒部の回転によって、前記複数対の突起部のうちいずれか１対の突起部における一方の突起部に設けられた中継端子と前記２つのＦＰＣにおける一方のＦＰＣの端子とが電気的に接触自在であるとともに、他方の突起部に設けられた中継端子と他方のＦＰＣの端子とが電気的に接触自在であり、
前記導線による電気的接続は前記突起部の対ごとに異なり、
前記円筒部は、前記任意の直径同士がなす角度ごとに回転して停止可能であり、
前記２つのＦＰＣが前記円筒部の円周における任意の直径上で相対し、かつ前記端子が前記中継端子に電気的に接触するように、前記２つのＦＰＣを位置決めする２つの位置決め部を備えることを特徴とするＦＰＣ中継器である。
【０００６】
請求項２に記載の発明は、
回転自在な円筒である円筒部と、
前記円筒部の軸方向に沿って前記円筒部の表面に設けられた１対の突起部と、
前記１対の突起部の各々の表面に設けられ、２つのＦＰＣ（ＦｌｅｘｉｓｉｂｌｅＰｒｉｎｔｅｄＣｉｒｃｕｉｔ）の各々に設けられた１または複数の端子と電気的に接触可能な１または複数の中継端子と、
前記１対の突起部のそれぞれに設けられた前記中継端子同士を電気的に接続する導線とを備え、
前記１対の突起部は、前記円筒部の円周における任意の直径上で相対して設けられるとと
もに、当該突起部の対は、複数対設けられ、
前記円筒部の回転によって、前記複数対の突起部のうちいずれか１対の突起部における一方の突起部に設けられた中継端子と前記２つのＦＰＣにおける一方のＦＰＣの端子とが電気的に接触自在であるとともに、他方の突起部に設けられた中継端子と他方のＦＰＣの端子とが電気的に接触自在であり、
前記導線による電気的接続は前記突起部の対ごとに異なることを特徴とするＦＰＣ中継器である。
【０００７】
この発明によると、円筒部を回転させることで所望の１対の突起部に設けられる中継端子の各々を２枚のＦＰＣの端子の各々に接触できる。ここで、１対の突起部のそれぞれに設けられる中継端子同士は導線により電気的に接続されている。従って、円筒部を回転させることで２枚のＦＰＣの端子同士を電気的に接続できる。また、この発明によると、中継端子同士の接続は突起部の対ごとに異なるので、円筒部の回転により中継端子とＦＰＣの端子との接触を変えてＦＰＣの端子同士の接続パターンを容易に切り換えることができる。なお、中継端子同士の接続は切り換えが必要な接続パターンに応じて適宜決定すればよく、また、一部の中継端子をどの中継端子にも接続しない（オープン）ようにしてもよい。
【０００９】
具体的には、この発明によると、円筒部を所定の直径のなす角度ずつ回転させることでＦＰＣの端子の接続パターンを変えることができる。即ち、直径上で相対する突起部に設けられた中継端子同士の接続を突起部の対ごとに異なるようにすれば（例えば、ある１対の中継端子同士はクロス接続し、またある１対の中継端子同士はストレート接続するなど）、所定の直径のなす角度だけ円筒部を回転させることでＦＰＣの端子と接触する突起部の対を変え、ＦＰＣの端子同士の接続パターンを容易に切り換えることができる。
【００１０】
請求項３に記載の発明は、前記円筒部は、前記任意の直径同士がなす角度ごとに回転して停止可能であることを特徴とする請求項２記載のＦＰＣ中継器である。
【００１１】
この発明によると、円筒部を直径のなす角度ずつ回転させると停止するため接続パターンの変更が容易かつ確実となる。
【００１２】
請求項４に記載の発明は、前記２つのＦＰＣが前記円筒部の円周における任意の直径上で相対し、かつ前記端子が前記中継端子に電気的に接触するように、前記２つのＦＰＣを位置決めする２つの位置決め部をさらに備えることを特徴とする請求項２または３記載のＦＰＣ中継器である。
【００１３】
この発明によると、ＦＰＣの端子を中継端子に対し位置決めすることができ、ＦＰＣの端子の接続切り換えがさらに容易となる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１は、本発明の一実施形態に係るＦＰＣ中継器１の斜視図である。この斜視図は、理解を容易にするためＦＰＣ中継器１の右側内部を露出させた状態で示している。ＦＰＣ中継器１は、ロータリー部２と、ロータリー部２を覆う筐体３とを備えている。ロータリー部２は、時計回りＲ１または反時計回りＲ２に所定の回転角、ここでは６０°ずつ回転して止まるよう回転軸３２により筐体３に軸支されている。このロータリー部２の所定の回転角ごとの回転停止は、例えば公知のクリック機構やクラッチ及びストッパなどによって実現されるが、所定の回転角ごとの停止が可能であればこれらに限定されない。回転軸３２には回転操作部材３３が設けられており、回転操作部材３３を指などで回転させることでロータリー部２を所望角度だけ時計回りＲ１または反時計回りＲ２に回転することが可能である。なお、回転操作部材３３の回転操作を容易にするため回転操作部材３３にローレット加工などを施してもよい。また、回転軸３２は、モーターなどの動力を制御することにより所定角度ずつ回転して停止するようにしてもよい。
【００１５】
筐体３は、ガイド部３１ａ、３１ｂを備えており、このガイド部３１ａ、３１ｂにそれぞれＦＰＣ（ＦｌｅｘｉｓｉｂｌｅＰｒｉｎｔｅｄＣｉｒｃｕｉｔ）１０を挿入することができる。このＦＰＣ１０は、図２に示すように５つのライン１１〜１５を備えており、各ライン１１〜１５は末端に端子２１〜２５をそれぞれ備えている。ガイド部３１には、ＦＰＣ１０の端子２１〜２５側が挿入される。図１は、ガイド部３１ｂにＦＰＣ１０が挿入された状態を示しているが、ガイド部３１ａにも同様にＦＰＣ１０の端子２１〜２５側を挿入可能である。ガイド部３１へのＦＰＣ１０の挿入状態の詳細は後述する。
【００１６】
図３は、ロータリー部２の斜視図である。ロータリー部２は、円筒形の円筒部４と、円筒部４の円周における所定の３つの直径６ａｄ、６ｂｅ、６ｃｆ（図５参照）上で相対しかつ円筒部４の軸方向に沿って円筒部４の表面に設けられた６つの突起部５ａ、５ｂ、５ｃ、５ｄ、５ｅ、５ｆとを備えている。以下、簡略のため特に断らない限り６つの突起部５ａ、５ｂ、５ｃ、５ｄ、５ｅ、５ｆをまとめて突起部５で表す。円筒部４は、回転軸３２と円筒部４とを所定の回転角ごとに回転可能に固定するための回転軸固定部７を有している。突起部部５ａ、５ｂ、５ｃ、５ｄ、５ｅ、５ｆは、それぞれ５つの中継端子５１ａ〜５５ａ、５１ｂ〜５５ｂ、５１ｃ〜５５ｃ、５１ｄ〜５５ｄ、５１ｅ〜５５ｅ、５１ｆ〜５５ｆを備えている。以下、簡略のため特に断らない限り中継端子５１ａ〜５５ａ、５１ｂ〜５５ｂ、５１ｃ〜５５ｃ、５１ｄ〜５５ｄ、５１ｅ〜５５ｅをまとめて中継端子５１〜５５で表す。
【００１７】
図４は、ＦＰＣ１０のガイド部３１への挿入状態を示す。この図では、理解の容易のためガイド部３１を一点鎖線で示している。ガイド部３１はＦＰＣ１０を挿入可能な挿入口３１１及び挿入口ストッパ３１２を有している。中継端子５１〜５５が形成された面Ｓが突起部５と向かい合うようＦＰＣ１０を挿入口３１から矢印方向へ挿入すると、図５に示すようにＦＰＣ１０の端面Ｅがストッパ３１２に当接してそれ以上の挿入が抑止されてＦＰＣ１０が位置決めされる。このようにＦＰＣ１０の挿入が抑止された状態では、図５に示すように２枚のＦＰＣ１０の面Ｓはそれぞれ突起部５ａ、５ｄと接触しており、また図４に示すように面Ｓに設けられた端子５１〜５５は、それぞれ中継端子５１〜５５と接触して電気的に接続される。なお、突起部５あるいは中継端子５１〜５５は、中継端子５１〜５５が端子２１〜２５と適度な押圧で接触するようコイルバネなどによりＦＰＣ１０の面Ｓに向けて付勢させてもよい。
【００１８】
そして、突起部５の中継端子５１〜５５は、各々樹脂などの絶縁体で覆われて絶縁された複数の導線６１ａｄ〜６５ａｄ、６１ｂｅ〜６５ｂｅ、６１ｃｆ〜６５ｃｆ（後述）により、円筒部４の円の直径６ａｄ、６ｂｅ、６ｃｆ上で相対する突起部５の中継端子５１〜５５と接続される。この直径６ａｄ、６ｂｅ、６ｃｆは、隣り合う直径と６０°の中心角をなす。以下、図６〜８に基づき、その接続パターンの一例を説明する。図６は、直径６ａｄ上で相対する突起部５ａ、５ｄの中継端子５１ａ〜５５ａ及び５１ｄ〜５５ｄ同士の導線６１ａｄ〜６５ａｄによる接続を示す。図６を参照すると、突起部５ａの中継端子５１ａは導線６１ａｄにより突起部５ｄの中継端子５１ｄと、突起部５ａの中継端子５２ａは導線６２ａｄにより突起部５ｄの中継端子５２ｄと、突起部５ａの中継端子５３ａは導線６３ａｄにより突起部５ｄの中継端子５３ｄと、突起部５ａの中継端子５４ａは導線６４ａｄにより突起部５ｄの中継端子５４ｄと、突起部５ａの中継端子５５ａは導線６５ａｄにより突起部５ｄの中継端子５５ｄとそれぞれ接続される。この接続は、中継端子５１ａ〜５５ａ及び５１ｄ〜５５ｄが直接（ストレート）接続される。この接続を以下パターン１という。
【００１９】
図７は、直径６ｂｅ上で相対する突起部５ｂ、５ｅの中継端子５１ｂ〜５５ｂ及び５１ｅ〜５５ｅ同士の導線６１ｂｅ〜６５ｂｅによる接続を示す。図７を参照すると、突起部５ｂの中継端子５１ｂは導線６１ｂｅにより突起部５ｅの中継端子５２ｅと、突起部５ｂの中継端子５２ｂは導線６２ｂｅにより突起部５ｅの中継端子５１ｅと、突起部５ｂの中継端子５３ｂは導線６３ｂｅにより突起部５ｅの中継端子５３ｅと、突起部５ｂの中継端子５４ｂは導線６４ｂｅにより突起部５ｅの中継端子５４ｅと、突起部５ｂの中継端子５５ｂは導線６５ｂｅにより突起部５ｅの中継端子５５ｅとそれぞれ接続される。この接続は、図６の接続と異なり中継端子５１、５２の接続が交差（クロス）している。この接続を以下パターン２という。
【００２０】
図８は、直径６ｃｆ上で相対する突起部５ｃ、５ｆの中継端子５１ｃ〜５５ｃ及び５１ｆ〜５５ｆ同士の導線６１ｂｅ〜６５ｂｅによる接続を示す。図７を参照すると、突起部５ｃの中継端子５１ｃは導線６１ｃｆにより突起部５ｆの中継端子５１ｆと、突起部５ｃの中継端子５２ｃは導線６２ｃｆにより突起部５ｆの中継端子５２ｆと、突起部５ｃの中継端子５３ｃは導線６３ｃｆにより突起部５ｆの中継端子５４ｆと、突起部５ｃの中継端子５４ｃは導線６４ｃｆにより突起部５ｆの中継端子５３ｆと、突起部５ｃの中継端子５５ｃは導線６５ｃｆにより突起部５ｆの中継端子５５ｆと接続される。この接続は、図６の接続と異なり中継端子５３、５４の接続が交差（クロス）している。この接続を以下パターン３という。
【００２１】
上述のように、ガイド部３１ａ、３１ｂにそれぞれＦＰＣ１０を挿入し、回転操作部３３を６０°ずつ回転してＦＰＣ１０の面Ｓと突起部５とを接触させれば、ＦＰＣ１０の端子２１〜２５は中継端子５１〜５５と電気的に接続され、また、直径６ａｄ、６ｂｅ、６ｃｆ上で相対する突起部５の中継端子５１〜５５同士はパターン１〜３のいずれかにより接続されるから、ライン１１〜１５同士がパターン１〜３のいずれかにより接続されることとなる。
【００２２】
図９は、回転操作部３３を反時計回りＲ２に所定角度６０°ずつ回転した場合に選択されるパターンの一覧である。２枚のＦＰＣ１０の面Ｓがそれぞれ突起部５ａ、５ｄと接触する状態（基準位置）では、中継端子５１ａ〜５５ａ及び５１ｄ〜５５ｄはパターン１で接続されるため、ＦＰＣ１０のライン１１〜１５同士が電気的にストレート接続されることとなる。次に、基準位置から反時計回りＲ２に６０°だけ円筒部４を回転させると、２枚のＦＰＣ１０の面Ｓはそれぞれ突起部５ｂ、５ｅと接触する。この場合、中継端子５１ｂ〜５５ｂ及び５１ｅ〜５５ｅはパターン２で接続されるため、ＦＰＣ１０のライン１３〜１５同士が順次電気的に接続される一方、ライン１１、１２は交差して電気的に接続される。さらに、基準位置から反時計回りＲ２に１２０°だけ円筒部４を回転させると、２枚のＦＰＣ１０の面Ｓはそれぞれ突起部５ｃ、５ｆと接触する。この場合、中継端子５１ｃ〜５５ｃ及び５１ｆ〜５５ｆはパターン３で接続されるため、ＦＰＣ１０のライン１１、１２、１５同士が順次電気的に接続される一方、ライン１３、１４は交差して電気的に接続される。
【００２３】
このように、図１のガイド部３１ａ、３１ｂにそれぞれＦＰＣ１０を挿入し、回転操作部３３を時計回りＲ１または反時計回りＲ２に所定角度６０°ずつ回転することで、３つの接続の組み合わせの中から任意の１つを選択できる。
【００２４】
なお、中継端子５１〜５５同士の接続の組み合わせは上記の図６〜８に示されたものに限定されず、その他の組み合わせであってもよい。即ち、中継端子５１〜５５同士の接続の組み合わせを変化させることで、接続するライン１１〜１５の組み合わせを多種多様に変化させることができる。特定の中継端子５１〜５５をどの中継端子５１〜５５とも電気的に接続しない（オープン）ようにしてもよい。また、円筒部４に設けられる突起部５の数、位置、形状、突起部５に設けられる中継端子の数、位置、形状、円筒部４が回転して停止する回転角、直径の数及び直径同士のなす角度は上記に限定されず、２つのＦＰＣ同士の接続の必要な組み合わせに応じて適宜変更をすることが可能である。
【００２５】
また、ガイド部３１がＦＰＣ１０を位置決めする位置は上記に限定されず、２つのＦＰＣ１０の各々の端子２１〜２５が２つの突起５に設けられた中継端子５１〜５５の各々に接触するようＦＰＣ１０を位置決めできればよい。さらにこの場合、導線６１〜６５により接続する中継端子５１〜５５は直径上で相対する突起５に形成されたものでなく、２つのＦＰＣ１０がそれぞれ接触する２つの突起５同士であればよい。
【００２６】
【発明の効果】
本発明によると、円筒部の回転により所望の１対の突起部に設けられる中継端子の各々を２枚のＦＰＣの端子の各々に接触させることで中継端子とＦＰＣの端子との接触を変え、ＦＰＣの端子同士の接続パターンを容易に切り換えることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態に係るＦＰＣ中継器の斜視図。
【図２】ＦＰＣの上面図。
【図３】ロータリー部の斜視図。
【図４】ＦＰＣのガイド部への挿入状態を示す図。
【図５】ＦＰＣの突起部への接触状態を示す図。
【図６】パターン１での導線の接続を示す図。
【図７】パターン２での導線の接続を示す図。
【図８】パターン３での導線の接続を示す図。
【図９】回転角と接続パターンとの関係を示す図。
【符号の説明】
２：ロータリー部
４：円筒部
５：突起部
５１〜５５：中継端子
６１〜６５：導線
１０：ＦＰＣ
１１〜１５：ライン
２１〜２５：端子
３１：ガイド部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) connection relay.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various techniques for connecting wiring lines formed on a printed circuit board have been developed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a pressure conductive rubber connector is interposed between a plurality of lead portions formed on a sheet metal substrate and a plurality of lead portions formed on the printed circuit board, and the sheet metal substrate and the printed circuit board are arranged. A technique is disclosed in which the lead portions facing each other are electrically connected by applying a constant pressure to the pressure-conductive rubber connector by tightening and fixing.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-4386 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even when the opposing lead portions of the two FPC wiring patterns are electrically connected using the technique of Patent Document 1, the connection between the wiring lines cannot be switched. An object of the present invention is to enable easy switching of connection between wiring lines of an FPC.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention described in claim 1
A cylindrical portion that is a rotatable cylinder ;
A pair of protrusions provided on the surface of the cylindrical portion along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion;
One or a plurality of relay terminals provided on the surface of each of the pair of protrusions and electrically contactable with one or a plurality of terminals provided on the surface of each of two FPCs (Flexible Printed Circuits);
And a conductor for electrically connecting the relay terminals are provided on each of the protruding portions of the pair,
The pair of protrusions are provided relative to each other on an arbitrary diameter on the circumference of the cylindrical part, and a plurality of pairs of the protrusions are provided.
Thus the rotation of the cylindrical portion, one pair of one FPC between the electrically terminal and the relay terminal provided on one of the protruding portions in the protruding portion in the two FPC of the projections of the pairs The relay terminal provided on the other protrusion and the terminal of the other FPC can be electrically contacted with each other.
Electrical connection by the conductive wire varies for each pair of said projections,
The cylindrical portion can be rotated and stopped for each angle formed by the arbitrary diameters,
Phase against on any diameter the two FPC is in the circumference of the cylindrical portion, and as the terminal is in electrical contact with the relay terminal, Ru provided with two positioning portions for positioning the two FPC This is an FPC repeater characterized by the above.
[0006]
The invention described in claim 2
A cylindrical portion that is a rotatable cylinder;
A pair of protrusions provided on the surface of the cylindrical portion along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion;
One or a plurality of relay terminals provided on the surface of each of the pair of protrusions and electrically contactable with one or a plurality of terminals provided on each of two FPCs (Flexible Printed Circuits);
And a conductor for electrically connecting the relay terminals are provided on each of the protruding portions of the pair,
When the pair of protrusions are provided relative to each other on an arbitrary diameter on the circumference of the cylindrical portion,
In addition, a plurality of pairs of the protrusions are provided,
Due to the rotation of the cylindrical portion, the relay terminal provided on one of the plurality of pairs of protrusions is electrically contacted with the terminal of one FPC of the two FPCs. And the relay terminal provided on the other protrusion and the terminal of the other FPC are electrically contactable,
The FPC repeater is characterized in that the electrical connection by the conducting wire is different for each pair of the protrusions.
[0007]
According to this invention, each of the relay terminals provided on the desired pair of protrusions can be brought into contact with each of the terminals of the two FPCs by rotating the cylindrical portion. Here, the relay terminals provided on each of the pair of protrusions are electrically connected to each other by a conducting wire . Therefore, the terminals of the two FPCs can be electrically connected by rotating the cylindrical portion. Further, according to the present invention, the connection between the relay terminals is different for each pair of protrusions, so that the contact pattern between the relay terminals and the FPC terminals is changed by the rotation of the cylindrical portion, and the connection pattern between the FPC terminals is easily switched. be able to. The connection between the relay terminals may be determined as appropriate according to the connection pattern that needs to be switched, and some of the relay terminals may not be connected to any relay terminal (open).
[0009]
Specifically, according to the present invention, the connection pattern of the terminals of the FPC can be changed by rotating the cylindrical portion by an angle formed by a predetermined diameter. That is, if the connection between the relay terminals provided on the projecting portions opposed to each other on the diameter is different for each pair of the projecting portions (for example, a certain pair of relay terminals are cross-connected, and a certain pair of Relay terminals can be connected straight, etc.), by rotating the cylindrical part by an angle formed by a predetermined diameter, the pair of protrusions contacting the FPC terminals can be changed, and the connection pattern between the FPC terminals can be easily switched. it can.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 3, wherein the cylindrical portion is an FPC relay according to claim 2, wherein it is possible stops rotating every angle said any diameter between forms.
[0011]
According to the present invention, the connection pattern can be easily and reliably changed because the cylinder portion stops when the cylindrical portion is rotated by an angle formed by the diameter.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 4, wherein the phase against on any diameter two FPC is in the circumference of the cylindrical portion, and as the terminal is in electrical contact with the relay terminal, the two FPC The FPC repeater according to claim 2 or 3 , further comprising two positioning portions for positioning.
[0013]
According to the present invention, the terminal of the FPC can be positioned with respect to the relay terminal, and the connection switching of the terminal of the FPC is further facilitated.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an FPC repeater 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This perspective view shows the FPC repeater 1 with its right side exposed for easy understanding. The FPC repeater 1 includes a rotary unit 2 and a housing 3 that covers the rotary unit 2. The rotary part 2 is pivotally supported on the housing 3 by a rotary shaft 32 so as to rotate at a predetermined rotation angle, here 60 °, in a clockwise direction R1 or counterclockwise direction R2 and stop. The rotation stop for each predetermined rotation angle of the rotary unit 2 is realized by, for example, a known click mechanism, a clutch, and a stopper, but is not limited thereto as long as the stop for each predetermined rotation angle is possible. The rotation shaft 32 is provided with a rotation operation member 33. By rotating the rotation operation member 33 with a finger or the like, the rotary unit 2 can be rotated clockwise R1 or counterclockwise R2 by a desired angle. . In order to facilitate the rotation operation of the rotation operation member 33, the rotation operation member 33 may be knurled. The rotating shaft 32 may be rotated by a predetermined angle and stopped by controlling power such as a motor.
[0015]
The housing 3 includes guide portions 31a and 31b, and an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 10 can be inserted into each of the guide portions 31a and 31b. The FPC 10 includes five lines 11 to 15 as shown in FIG. 2, and each line 11 to 15 includes terminals 21 to 25 at the ends. The terminals 21 to 25 side of the FPC 10 are inserted into the guide portion 31. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the FPC 10 is inserted into the guide portion 31b. Similarly, the terminals 21 to 25 of the FPC 10 can be inserted into the guide portion 31a. Details of the insertion state of the FPC 10 into the guide portion 31 will be described later.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rotary unit 2. The rotary part 2 is cylindrical on the cylindrical part 4 and on the three predetermined diameters 6ad, 6be, 6cf (see FIG. 5) on the circumference of the cylindrical part 4 and along the axial direction of the cylindrical part 4 Six protrusions 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, and 5f provided on the surface of the portion 4 are provided. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, unless otherwise specified, the six protrusions 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, and 5f are collectively represented by the protrusions 5. The cylindrical portion 4 has a rotating shaft fixing portion 7 for fixing the rotating shaft 32 and the cylindrical portion 4 so as to be rotatable at predetermined rotation angles. Each of the protruding portions 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, and 5f includes five relay terminals 51a to 55a, 51b to 55b, 51c to 55c, 51d to 55d, 51e to 55e, and 51f to 55f. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the relay terminals 51a to 55a, 51b to 55b, 51c to 55c, 51d to 55d, and 51e to 55e are collectively expressed as relay terminals 51 to 55 unless otherwise specified.
[0017]
FIG. 4 shows an insertion state of the FPC 10 into the guide portion 31. In this figure, the guide part 31 is shown with the dashed-dotted line for easy understanding. The guide portion 31 has an insertion port 311 into which the FPC 10 can be inserted and an insertion port stopper 312. When the FPC 10 is inserted from the insertion port 31 in the direction of the arrow so that the surface S on which the relay terminals 51 to 55 are formed faces the protrusion 5, the end surface E of the FPC 10 contacts the stopper 312 as shown in FIG. The insertion is suppressed and the FPC 10 is positioned. In this state where insertion of the FPC 10 is inhibited, the surfaces S of the two FPCs 10 are in contact with the protrusions 5a and 5d as shown in FIG. 5, and are provided on the surface S as shown in FIG. The terminals 51 to 55 are in contact with and electrically connected to the relay terminals 51 to 55, respectively. Note that the protrusion 5 or the relay terminals 51 to 55 may be biased toward the surface S of the FPC 10 by a coil spring or the like so that the relay terminals 51 to 55 come into contact with the terminals 21 to 25 with an appropriate pressure.
[0018]
And the relay terminals 51-55 of the protrusion part 5 are the circle | round | yen of the cylindrical part 4 by the some conducting wire 61ad-65ad, 61be-65be, 61cf-65cf (after-mentioned) each covered and insulated with insulators, such as resin. Are connected to the relay terminals 51 to 55 of the protruding portion 5 facing each other on the diameters 6ad, 6be, and 6cf. The diameters 6ad, 6be, and 6cf form a central angle of 60 ° with the adjacent diameter. Hereinafter, an example of the connection pattern will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows the connection of the relay terminals 51a to 55a and the lead wires 61ad to 65ad of the protrusions 5a and 5d facing each other on the diameter 6ad. Referring to FIG. 6, the relay terminal 51a of the protrusion 5a is connected to the relay terminal 51d of the protrusion 5d by a conductor 61ad, and the relay terminal 52a of the protrusion 5a is connected to the relay terminal 52d of the protrusion 5d and the protrusion 5a by a conductor 62ad. The relay terminal 53a is connected to the relay terminal 53d of the protruding portion 5d by the conductive wire 63ad, the relay terminal 54a of the protruding portion 5a is connected to the relay terminal 54d of the protruding portion 5d by the conductive wire 64ad, and the relay terminal 55a of the protruding portion 5a is connected to the protruding portion 5d by the conductive wire 65ad. Are connected to the relay terminal 55d. In this connection, the relay terminals 51a to 55a and 51d to 55d are directly (straight) connected. This connection is hereinafter referred to as pattern 1.
[0019]
FIG. 7 shows the connection of the relay terminals 51b to 55b of the projecting portions 5b and 5e facing each other on the diameter 6be and the conductive wires 61be to 65be between the 51e to 55e. Referring to FIG. 7, the relay terminal 51b of the protruding portion 5b is connected to the relay terminal 52e of the protruding portion 5e by the conducting wire 61be, and the relay terminal 52b of the protruding portion 5b is connected to the relay terminal 51e of the protruding portion 5e by the conducting wire 62be. The relay terminal 53b is connected to the relay terminal 53e of the protrusion 5e by the conductive wire 63be, the relay terminal 54b of the protrusion 5b is connected to the relay terminal 54e of the protrusion 5e by the conductive wire 64be, and the relay terminal 55b of the protrusion 5b is connected to the protrusion 5e by the conductive wire 65be. Are connected to the relay terminal 55e. In this connection, unlike the connection in FIG. 6, the connection of the relay terminals 51 and 52 intersects. This connection is hereinafter referred to as pattern 2.
[0020]
FIG. 8 shows the connection of the relay terminals 51c to 55c of the protrusions 5c and 5f facing each other on the diameter 6cf and the conductors 61be to 65be between the 51f to 55f. Referring to FIG. 7, the relay terminal 51c of the protrusion 5c is connected to the relay terminal 51f of the protrusion 5f by the conductor 61cf, the relay terminal 52c of the protrusion 5c is connected to the relay terminal 52f of the protrusion 5f by the conductor 62cf, and the protrusion 5c. The relay terminal 53c is connected to the relay terminal 54f of the protrusion 5f by the conductor 63cf, the relay terminal 54c of the protrusion 5c is connected to the relay terminal 53f of the protrusion 5f by the conductor 64cf, and the relay terminal 55c of the protrusion 5c is connected to the protrusion 5f by the conductor 65cf. Connected to the relay terminal 55f. This connection is different from the connection of FIG. 6 in that the connections of the relay terminals 53 and 54 intersect. This connection is hereinafter referred to as pattern 3.
[0021]
As described above, when the FPC 10 is inserted into each of the guide portions 31a and 31b and the rotation operation portion 33 is rotated by 60 ° to bring the surface S of the FPC 10 into contact with the protruding portion 5, the terminals 21 to 25 of the FPC 10 are Since the relay terminals 51 to 55 of the protrusions 5 that are electrically connected to the relay terminals 51 to 55 and opposed on the diameters 6ad, 6be, and 6cf are connected to each other by any one of the patterns 1 to 3, the line 11 -15 are connected by any one of the patterns 1-3.
[0022]
FIG. 9 is a list of patterns selected when the rotation operation unit 33 is rotated counterclockwise R2 by a predetermined angle of 60 °. When the surfaces S of the two FPCs 10 are in contact with the protrusions 5a and 5d (reference positions), the relay terminals 51a to 55a and 51d to 55d are connected by the pattern 1, and therefore the lines 11 to 15 of the FPC 10 are connected to each other. Electrically connected straight. Next, when the cylindrical portion 4 is rotated by 60 ° counterclockwise R2 from the reference position, the surfaces S of the two FPCs 10 come into contact with the protruding portions 5b and 5e, respectively. In this case, since the relay terminals 51b to 55b and 51e to 55e are connected by the pattern 2, the lines 13 to 15 of the FPC 10 are sequentially electrically connected to each other, while the lines 11 and 12 are electrically connected to each other. Is done. Further, when the cylindrical portion 4 is rotated by 120 ° counterclockwise R2 from the reference position, the surfaces S of the two FPCs 10 come into contact with the protruding portions 5c and 5f, respectively. In this case, since the relay terminals 51c to 55c and 51f to 55f are connected by the pattern 3, the lines 11, 12, and 15 of the FPC 10 are sequentially electrically connected to each other, while the lines 13 and 14 are electrically crossed. Connected to.
[0023]
As described above, the FPC 10 is inserted into each of the guide portions 31a and 31b in FIG. 1, and the rotation operation portion 33 is rotated clockwise by R1 or counterclockwise R2 by a predetermined angle of 60 °, thereby combining the three connection combinations. Any one can be selected.
[0024]
In addition, the combination of connection of relay terminals 51-55 is not limited to what was shown by said FIGS. 6-8, Other combinations may be sufficient. That is, by changing the connection combination of the relay terminals 51 to 55, the combination of the lines 11 to 15 to be connected can be changed in various ways. The specific relay terminals 51 to 55 may not be electrically connected to any relay terminals 51 to 55 (open). In addition, the number, position, and shape of the protrusions 5 provided on the cylindrical portion 4, the number, position, and shape of the relay terminals provided on the protrusion 5, the rotation angle at which the cylindrical portion 4 rotates and stops, the number of diameters, and the diameter The angle formed between the two FPCs is not limited to the above, and can be appropriately changed according to the necessary combination of the connections between the two FPCs.
[0025]
Further, the position where the guide portion 31 positions the FPC 10 is not limited to the above, and the terminals 21 to 25 of the two FPCs 10 are brought into contact with the relay terminals 51 to 55 provided on the two protrusions 5. It only needs to be positioned. Furthermore, in this case, the relay terminals 51 to 55 connected by the conducting wires 61 to 65 are not formed on the protrusions 5 that face each other on the diameter, but may be two protrusions 5 that the two FPCs 10 are in contact with each other.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the contact between the relay terminal and the FPC terminal is changed by bringing each of the relay terminals provided on the desired pair of protrusions into contact with each of the two FPC terminals by rotating the cylindrical portion, The connection pattern between the terminals of the FPC can be easily switched.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an FPC repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of an FPC.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rotary unit.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which an FPC is inserted into a guide portion.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a contact state of an FPC with a protrusion.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing connection of conductive wires in pattern 1;
FIG. 7 is a view showing connection of conductive wires in pattern 2;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing connection of conductive wires in pattern 3;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a rotation angle and a connection pattern.
[Explanation of symbols]
2: Rotary part 4: Cylindrical part 5: Projection parts 51-55: Relay terminals 61-65: Conductor 10: FPC
11-15: Lines 21-25: Terminal 31: Guide part

Claims

A cylindrical portion that is a rotatable cylinder ;
A pair of protrusions provided on the surface of the cylindrical portion along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion;
One or a plurality of relay terminals provided on the surface of each of the pair of protrusions and electrically contactable with one or a plurality of terminals provided on the surface of each of two FPCs (Flexible Printed Circuits);
And a conductor for electrically connecting the relay terminals are provided on each of the protruding portions of the pair,
The pair of protrusions are provided relative to each other on an arbitrary diameter on the circumference of the cylindrical part, and a plurality of pairs of the protrusions are provided.
Thus the rotation of the cylindrical portion, one pair of one FPC between the electrically terminal and the relay terminal provided on one of the protruding portions in the protruding portion in the two FPC of the projections of the pairs The relay terminal provided on the other protrusion and the terminal of the other FPC can be electrically contacted with each other.
Electrical connection by the conductive wire varies for each pair of said projections,
The cylindrical portion can be rotated and stopped for each angle formed by the arbitrary diameters,
Phase against on any diameter the two FPC is in the circumference of the cylindrical portion, and as the terminal is in electrical contact with the relay terminal, Ru provided with two positioning portions for positioning the two FPC FPC repeater characterized by the above.

A cylindrical portion that is a rotatable cylinder;
A pair of protrusions provided on the surface of the cylindrical portion along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion;
One or a plurality of relay terminals provided on the surface of each of the pair of protrusions and electrically contactable with one or a plurality of terminals provided on each of two FPCs (Flexible Printed Circuits);
And a conductor for electrically connecting the relay terminals are provided on each of the protruding portions of the pair,
The pair of protrusions are provided relative to each other on an arbitrary diameter on the circumference of the cylindrical part, and a plurality of pairs of the protrusions are provided.
Due to the rotation of the cylindrical portion, the relay terminal provided on one of the plurality of pairs of protrusions is electrically contacted with the terminal of one FPC of the two FPCs. And the relay terminal provided on the other protrusion and the terminal of the other FPC are electrically contactable,
The FPC repeater characterized in that the electrical connection by the conducting wire is different for each pair of the protruding portions.

The cylindrical portion, FPC relay according to claim 2, wherein the rotating each angle of said any diameter between forms can be stopped.

Phase against on any diameter the two FPC is in the circumference of the cylindrical portion, and as the terminal is in electrical contact with the relay terminal, further comprises two positioning portions for positioning the two FPC The FPC repeater according to claim 2 or 3, wherein