Electrical Connector With Protective Plate For Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors, such as those described in Taiwan Patent Publication No. M348,367, are not suitable for compact devices due to their L-shaped design and lack of shock resistance when subjected to external forces.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a flex flat cable (FFC) with a protective plastic plate and a connector housing that covers both the FFC and electrical cable, allowing for reduced height and enhanced shock absorption by using a protective plastic plate to firmly fasten and support the contact portions of the FFC, and incorporating a spacer with parallel grooves for clamping the cable's insulating layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If an L-shaped insulating housing is used to provide structural support and housing for contacts, then the connector can accommodate contacts and cable, but the height of the connector becomes too large for compact devices
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a base portion and a cover portion that can be assembled together. The base portion houses the contacts and cable, while the cover portion provides protection. This segmentation allows for a more compact overall height while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing height in the vertical dimension to accommodate all components, the design redistributes components across different dimensions - placing contacts horizontally in the base portion and using the cover portion to enclose them, thereby reducing the vertical height requirement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid insulating housing is used to provide structural stability, then the connector maintains its shape, but it cannot effectively absorb shock or strong external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly combines rigid insulating housing materials with flexible elements such as the FFC (flexible flat cable) and elastic deformable portions. This composite structure allows the rigid housing to maintain shape stability while the flexible components absorb shock and deformation forces, improving overall reliability under external stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates deformable portions and flexible cable segments that can elastically deform before failure occurs. These elements act as built-in shock absorbers that protect the rigid housing and internal components from damage during impact or strong external forces.
3Ease of operation
If the FFC is exposed without protection, then the contact portions are accessible for connection, but they lack firm support and protection
Solution Approach 1:
A protective plate or cover portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the external environment and the FFC contact portions. This intermediary structure provides firm support and protection to the contacts while still allowing them to be accessible for electrical connection through designated openings or interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector is provided with an FFC including a first insulating layer including a plurality of internal flat conductors each being elongated and having an exposed contact portion at one end and an exposed soldering portion at the other end; an electrical cable including a plurality of conductors each having a second insulating layer therearound, the conductors electrically connected to the soldering portions; and a connector housing covering a rear portion of the FFC and a front end of the electrical cable for fastening the FFC and the electrical cable. A front portion of the FFC is provided with a protective plastic plate for fastening and supporting the contact portions of the FFC and the first insulating layer.