Connector Shield Assembly for Ground Contact Through FFC Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing reliable electrical connections between connector shields and the embedded foil shielding and conductors of flat flexible cables (FFCs) or flat printed cables (FPCs) is challenging due to the fragile nature of the foil shielding layers and their embedded position within insulation material, making it difficult to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Innovation Solution
A connector shield assembly with a housing that includes contact elements extending into a cable space to electrically contact the shielding layers and conductors, featuring a design with a cable space wider than the connector space and a height less than the connector space, allowing for penetration or crimping through the insulation material to establish reliable connections without exposing the conductors, and using snap-fit locking assemblies to maintain contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional stripping operations are used to expose shielding layers for connector contact, then electrical connection can be established, but the fragile foil shielding layers and embedded conductors are damaged or connection reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector shield is pre-configured with contact elements (such as spring fingers or conductive probes) that are designed to penetrate or contact the embedded shielding layers and conductors directly during the insertion process, eliminating the need for prior stripping operations. This preliminary preparation of the contact mechanism allows for reliable electrical connection without exposing or damaging the fragile foil shielding layers.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of exposing the shielding layers by removing insulation (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the contact elements penetrate through the insulation material to contact the embedded shielding layers and conductors directly. This reverse strategy maintains the protective insulation while establishing reliable electrical connections.
2Reliability
If additional processing steps like stripping are implemented to establish electrical connections, then connection can be made, but manufacturing complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector shield integrates multiple functions into a single component: the housing structure, the contact elements, and the shielding function are combined. The contact elements are built into the shield housing itself, allowing the connector to simultaneously provide EMI shielding and establish electrical connections with the embedded conductors in one integrated action, eliminating separate stripping and connection steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector shield is designed to automatically penetrate or contact the embedded shielding layers and conductors during the normal insertion process. The spring fingers or conductive probes are pre-positioned to engage with the cable components as the connector is inserted, allowing the system to self-establish electrical connections without requiring external stripping operations or additional processing steps.
3Reliability
If contact elements are designed to penetrate insulation material, then reliable electrical contact is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are designed as spring fingers or elastic conductive probes that can dynamically adjust their penetration depth and contact pressure. This elasticity allows the contact elements to accommodate variations in insulation thickness and cable positioning while maintaining reliable electrical contact, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements for penetration depth and position.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact elements utilize changes in physical parameters such as elastic deformation and contact pressure to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. By designing the contact mechanism to operate within a range of pressures and positions rather than requiring a single precise value, the system achieves reliable electrical contact without demanding extremely tight manufacturing precision.
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
Enables quick and reliable electrical connections between the connector shield and the FFC/FPC, eliminating the need for additional processing steps like stripping, and ensures consistent contact force to prevent EMI, enhancing the reliability of the connector assembly.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of contact elements extend from the housing and into the cable space for electrically contacting a conductive element of the FFC
Implementation Method 2
using snap-fit locking assemblies to maintain contact force to ensure reliable connections
Data Source
AI summary
A connector shield for a flat flexible cable comprises a housing defining a connector space on a first end thereof for receiving a signal cable connector, and a cable space on a second end thereof for at least partially receiving an end of the flat flexible cable. The cable space defines a width greater than that of the connector space and a height less than that of the connector space. A plurality of contact elements extend from the housing and into the cable space for electrically contacting a conductive element of the flat flexible cable.