Electrical Connector Assembly With Movable FFC Clamping Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional SATA electrical connector assemblies cannot be easily upgraded or maintained by replacing the flexible flat cable (FFC) when it becomes worn out or defective, leading to the entire assembly being scrapped.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector assembly design featuring a movable member with clamping arms and a base that allows for easy insertion and removal of an FFC, enabling electrical connection with second terminals on a PCB, allowing for FFC replacement without scrapping the entire assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cable connector assembly uses a fixed cable structure, then the assembly structure is simple, but the cable cannot be replaced when worn out or defective
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into separable components: a connector body with terminals, and a cable with a separate connector. The cable connector can be detached from the connector body, allowing the cable to be replaced independently while keeping the main connector assembly intact. This segmentation enables modular replacement of wear-prone components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly transitions from a fixed, permanent connection to a dynamic, reversible connection. The cable connector can be inserted into and removed from the connector body through a simple clamping mechanism, allowing the system to adapt between connected and disconnected states for maintenance or replacement purposes.
2Loss of substance
If the entire connector assembly is scrapped when the cable is defective, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but resource waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design enables selective discarding of only the defective cable component while recovering and reusing the main connector body and its terminals. The separable connector structure allows the valuable connector components to be retained and reused multiple times, significantly reducing material waste compared to discarding the entire assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the cable is permanently fixed in the connector, then connection reliability is high, but maintenance accessibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is pre-designed with integrated terminals and a receptacle structure that automatically engages with the cable connector. This preliminary preparation of the connector body allows for quick cable installation without complex assembly steps, while the pre-positioned terminals ensure reliable electrical contact upon connection.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electrical connector assembly which comprises an insulative body, a PCB and a base. The insulative body comprises a plurality of first terminals, and the base comprises a plurality of second terminals. The first terminals and the second terminals are electrically connected through the PCB; wherein the base is disposed with a movable member. When the movable member is in an open status, an FFC is inserted into the base. When the movable member is in a close state, the movable member presses against a plurality of conductors of the FFC to establish an electrical connection with the second terminals.