Flat Circuit Body Connector Positioning via Projected Side Edges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connecting structure of connectors and flat circuit bodies, such as FPC or FFC, faces challenges in maintaining precise positioning of conductors relative to connection terminals, leading to variability in electrical connections and reduced reliability due to accumulated dimensional tolerances and assembly errors.
Innovation Solution
A connecting structure where a slider with a narrow width end portion is used to directly position the flat circuit body relative to the connector, with side edges projecting beyond the slider's narrow width end portion contacting positioning faces on the connector, allowing for precise alignment and reducing the impact of assembly errors on positioning precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a slider is used to connect the flat circuit body to the connector, then the assembly process is simplified and the flat circuit body can be easily attached, but dimensional tolerances and assembly errors accumulate, leading to poor positioning precision of the conductors relative to the connection terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning face on the slider that directly contacts the side edge of the flat circuit body, serving as an intermediary positioning mechanism. This positioning face mediates between the slider and the flat circuit body to establish precise positional relationship, preventing accumulation of dimensional tolerances while maintaining ease of assembly through the slider structure
2Strength
If the slider width is made equal to or larger than the flat circuit body width, then the flat circuit body is fully supported, but the side edges of the flat circuit body cannot contact the positioning faces on the connector, resulting in poor positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the slider width smaller than the flat circuit body width at the critical region where positioning is needed. This localized dimensioning allows the side edges of the flat circuit body to protrude and contact the positioning faces on the connector, achieving precise positioning while the rest of the slider still provides adequate support for the flat circuit body
3Manufacturing precision
If the slider width is reduced to allow side edges to contact positioning faces, then positioning precision is improved, but the slider provides less support area for the flat circuit body
Solution Approach 1:
The slider is designed with differentiated width characteristics: narrower at the distal end where positioning contact is needed, and wider at the proximal end where support function is needed. This local quality variation allows the slider to simultaneously achieve precise positioning through side edge contact while maintaining adequate support area through the wider proximal portion
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting structure includes a flat circuit body, a slider that is attached to a vicinity of a distal end portion of the flat circuit body, and a connector which includes a slider containing portion and a terminal arrangement portion. When the slider is connected to the slider containing portion, conductors of the flat circuit body are electrically connected to the connection terminals of the terminal arrangement portion. The slider has a narrow width end portion whose width at the distal end is smaller than width of the flat circuit body so that side edges of the distal end of the flat circuit body are projected from the narrow width end portion. The slider containing portion has a positioning face which contacts with one of the side edges of the distal end of the flat circuit body.