FPC Connector Simulating 1.6mm PCB Edge for Standardized Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing FPC board connectors lack the ability to simulate a 1.6 mm PCB thickness for standardized card edge connections and do not provide polarization and coding features to secure mating with specific counterparts, making them unsuitable for interfacing with household appliance industry standardized harnesses.
Innovation Solution
A connector system comprising a male connector with an electrically insulated housing and printed electronic circuitry, featuring a supporting unit, locking, coding, and polarization features, which allows for a 1.6 mm PCB thickness simulation and secure mating with a specified counterpart, including a multi-layer interface with a functional, insulating, and decorative layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If existing FPC board connectors are used, then compact size is achieved, but the ability to simulate 1.6 mm PCB thickness for standardized card edge connections is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the PCB edge geometry by forming a recess in the connector housing that precisely replicates the 1.6 mm thickness profile of a standard PCB. This allows the FPC connector to masquerade as a rigid PCB edge, enabling compatibility with standardized card edge connectors and harnesses without actually being a rigid PCB.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a purely two-dimensional FPC connection interface to a three-dimensional card edge simulation by creating a recess that provides depth variation. This dimensional change allows the flexible connector to present a rigid-like profile that matches standardized harness expectations.
2Device complexity
If existing FPC board connectors are used, then simple structure is maintained, but polarization and coding features for secure mating are absent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric polarization features by creating a recess with specific directional orientation and asymmetric contact element arrangement. This asymmetry ensures that the connector can only mate with its designated counterpart in the correct orientation, preventing incorrect connections while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Volume of moving object
If FPC connector is made small and thin for miniaturization, then compact electronics devices are enabled, but standardized card edge connection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the PCB edge geometry by forming a recess in the connector housing that precisely replicates the 1.6 mm thickness profile of a standard PCB. This allows the FPC connector to masquerade as a rigid PCB edge, enabling compatibility with standardized card edge connectors and harnesses without actually being a rigid PCB.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a purely two-dimensional FPC connection interface to a three-dimensional card edge simulation by creating a recess that provides depth variation. This dimensional change allows the flexible connector to present a rigid-like profile that matches standardized harness expectations.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connector system comprising a male connector with a first electrically insulated connector housing, a printed electronic circuitry with a terminal, and a female connector with a second electrically insulated connector housing. The printed electronic circuitry is in-molded with a supporting unit and is attached to the first electrically insulated connector housing of the male connector. It may comprise a flexible printed circuit. The female connector is adapted to mate with the male connector and to be connected to a cable harness. The present invention also relates to a multi-layer interface comprising a connector system as described above. The multi-layer interface comprises at least one functional layer comprising the printed electronic circuit with a terminal, and at least one electrically insulating layer, which is different from the at least one functional layer and which comprises the electrically insulated connector housing of the male connector. The multi-layer interface may additionally comprise a decorative layer comprising film or natural materials, decorative links, and/or conductive and/or dielectric inks.