Connector Locking Mechanism for FPC Position Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for plate-like or sheet-like objects, such as FPCs or FFCs, fail to securely hold the objects in position before and after the actuator pivots, especially when the connector is small and cannot accommodate a large lock portion, leading to potential removal of the object.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a receiving portion with a bottom surface, a housing with a lock portion and recess, and an actuator that pivots between open and close positions, allowing the object to be inserted and securely held through interposed and locked portions, with the lock portion protruding upward and the recess located rearward, ensuring temporary holding and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector is made small in size, then the connector is more compact and space-efficient, but the lock portion cannot have sufficient width or protruding length to securely lock the object
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions the locking mechanism from a horizontal locking approach to a vertical locking approach. The lock portion protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the receiving portion, utilizing the vertical dimension (Z-axis) rather than relying solely on horizontal dimensions. This allows the lock portion to effectively engage with the locked portion of the object even when the connector has a small footprint, thereby maintaining locking security while keeping the connector compact.
2Reliability
If the lock portion is made large in width or protruding length, then the object can be locked more securely, but the connector size increases and cannot be made compact
Solution Approach 1:
The lock portion is configured to protrude upward in the vertical direction (Z-axis) from the bottom surface of the receiving portion, rather than extending horizontally. This dimensional change allows the lock portion to achieve sufficient locking engagement length without increasing the horizontal footprint of the connector, thus securing the object reliably while maintaining a compact connector size.
3Ease of operation
If the actuator is located at the open position, then the object can be inserted into the connector, but the object may move out of position before the actuator is operated to pivot
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is positioned rearward of the lock portion and its bottom portion extends below the bottom surface of the receiving portion. This preliminary structural arrangement creates a mechanical constraint that prevents the object from moving forward out of position during the insertion process, even before the actuator pivots to engage the lock portion. The recess acts as a preliminary positioning feature that ensures object stability throughout the insertion operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector comprises a receiving portion, a housing and an actuator. The housing has a lock portion protruding upward and a recess formed with a bottom portion. The actuator has a pressing portion. The actuator is supported by the housing so as to be pivotable between an open position and a close position. When the actuator is located at the open position, a plate-like or sheet-like object comprising an interposed portion and a locked portion, for example, a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC), is inserted and received in the receiving portion. When the object is received in the receiving portion, the interposed portion is located above the recess, and the locked portion is located rearward of the lock portion. The pressing portion and the bottom portion interpose the interposed portion of the object when the actuator pivots from the open position to the close position.