Electrical Connector Positioning Members for FPC Signal Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical connectors for flexible printed circuit boards experience high frequency signal interference due to the skin effect caused by curved pins, leading to reduced signal transmission bandwidth and quality.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring a holder base with positioning members and press members that eliminate the skin effect, allowing a swivel cover to move smoothly between positions without applying excessive pressure, thereby reducing noise and interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If curved pins (conducting terminals) are used in electrical connectors for flexible printed circuit boards, then the connector can be compact and adaptable to FPC applications, but high frequency signal interference occurs due to the skin effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to FPC applicationVSAvoidhigh frequency signal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conducting terminal is segmented into multiple parallel straight pins instead of a single curved pin. This segmentation eliminates the skin effect by providing multiple direct current paths, thereby reducing high frequency signal interference while maintaining compactness and FPC adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a curved pin configuration that causes skin effect, the invention inverts the approach by using straight parallel pins. This inversion of the traditional curved pin design eliminates the harmful skin effect while achieving the same electrical connection function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a press member is designed to clamp the flexible printed circuit board firmly, then good electrical contact is achieved, but excessive pressure may damage the connector body or cause noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact qualityVSAvoidnoise and damage to connector body

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The press member is designed with elastic deformation capability that allows it to absorb excess pressure. The elastic material acts as a cushion, preventing damage to the connector body and reducing noise generation while maintaining sufficient clamping force for good electrical contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The press member is made of elastic material that changes its mechanical properties under pressure. This parameter change allows the press member to deform elastically, distributing pressure evenly and preventing both excessive force damage and insufficient contact pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the swivel cover is designed to move smoothly between positions, then ease of operation is improved, but the moving mechanism may increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth movement of swivel coverVSAvoidcomplexity of moving mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel cover is designed with a rotating mechanism that allows dynamic movement between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic design enables smooth operation while using simple mechanical elements like rotation and engagement features rather than complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces noise and interference, ensuring stable high-frequency signal transmission and facilitating easy installation by preventing damage to the connector body.

Implementation Method 1

positioning members (12) mounted in respective vertical insertion slots (115) in the holder base (11), the conducting terminals (2) being positioned in the holder base (11) with respective mounting portions (21) thereof fastened to the positioning members (12)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositioning mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

press members (3) respectively fastened to the positioning members (12) and suspending above the conducting terminals (2) for holding down a flexible printed circuit board on front contact portions (22) of the conducting terminals (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS8851914B2Electrical connector having a positioning member for holding conducting terminals and press members

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 ACES ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electrical connector includes a connector body including a holder base and positioning members mounted in respective vertical insertion slots in the holder base, conducting terminals positioned in the holder base with respective mounting portions thereof fastened to the positioning members, press members respectively fastened to the positioning members and suspending above the conducting terminals for holding down a flexible printed circuit board on front contact portions of the conducting terminals, and a swivel cover coupled to the holder base and the press members and biasable relative to the holder base and the press member between a horizontal close position and a vertical open position.