Electrical connector for connecting flat flexible circuitry to discrete terminal pins

摘要

A connector is provided for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to a plurality of discrete terminal pins. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a front mating face and a rear terminating face. A plurality of terminal pin-receiving passages are provided in the mating face. A flat circuit-receiving receptacle is provided in the terminating face in communication with the passages. A circuit carrier or spring member is insertable into the receptacle of the housing and includes an attachment portion for attaching the flat flexible circuit of the carrier with the conductors of the circuit facing away from the carrier toward the terminal pin receiving passages. Insertion of the pins in the passages causes the pins to engage the conductors of the circuit. The circuit carrier or spring member includes a spring loaded mouth into which the terminal pins are inserted into engagement with the conductors of the circuit. Cam means are provided to open the spring loaded mouth a given amount to apply a given contact force between the terminal pins and the conductors of the circuit.