US 12,170,416 B2
Connecting method for electrically connecting contact to flexible conductor of connection object and connector assembly having contact electrically connected to flexible conductor of connection object
Akira Kimura, Tokyo (JP); and Seiya Matsuo, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, LIMITED, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Mar. 23, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/702,640.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-074130 (JP), filed on Apr. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0344844 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. H01R 12/65 (2011.01); H01R 13/40 (2006.01); H01R 13/502 (2006.01); H01R 13/629 (2006.01); H01R 13/639 (2006.01)
CPC H01R 12/65 (2013.01) [H01R 13/40 (2013.01); H01R 13/502 (2013.01); H01R 13/629 (2013.01); H01R 13/639 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connecting method for electrically connecting a contact having conductivity to a flexible conductor exposed on one of surfaces of a connection object, the flexible conductor including a connection part that is formed of part of the flexible conductor and situated at a predetermined position when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the connection object,
wherein the connection object includes a support having a sheet-like shape and insulation properties, and the flexible conductor is disposed on one of surfaces of the support,
wherein the support includes an island-like portion that is surrounded by a pair of cuts facing each other and is provided at one surface thereof with at least one connection part, and a pair of joint portions that respectively join opposite ends of the island-like portion to a surrounding portion of the support,
the method comprising the steps of:
when the flexible conductor is exposed on a top surface of the connection object, disposing the contact on the top surface of the connection object at the predetermined position in a state where the connection object is kept as it is, and when the flexible conductor is exposed on a bottom surface of the connection object, disposing the contact on the top surface of the connection object at the predetermined position in a state where a part of the connection object where the connection part is disposed is inverted such that the connection part faces a top surface side of the connection object while being retained at the predetermined position, wherein when the pair of joint portions are deformed, the island-like portion is inverted around an inversion axis extending along the support, and
retaining the contact in a housing that is attached to the connection object and bringing the contact into contact with the connection part to electrically connect the contact to the flexible conductor.