Magnetic Connector for FPC Reliable Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic connectors for flexible printed circuits (FPCs) and flexible flat cables (FFCs) face challenges in achieving reliable connections while maintaining a compact and simple structure, as they often require complex mechanisms to ensure contact pressure, which hampers size reduction.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic connector design featuring a connector body with arranged connection terminals and attracted members made of magnetic substance on a flexible support member, which are attracted to the connector body via a magnet, ensuring contact pressure and reliable connections without the need for complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal pieces are held to be vertically movable in the segment member to enable magnetic attraction, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the movable metal piece from the segment member and places it directly on the FPC as a separate element. This allows the metal piece to be attracted by the magnet without requiring a complex movable holding mechanism in the segment member, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connection reliability through magnetic attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a resin layer as an intermediary between the magnet and the metal piece. This resin layer mediates the magnetic field transmission while allowing the metal piece to be held in place without complex mechanical structures, simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring reliable connection through magnetic attraction.
2Reliability
If complex mechanisms are used to ensure contact pressure, then connection reliability is improved, but external dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical mechanisms for ensuring contact pressure with a magnetic field-based system. The magnet attracts the metal piece directly, creating contact pressure without requiring cam mechanisms, springs, or other complex mechanical structures, thereby reducing external dimensions while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter from mechanical contact pressure generation to magnetic field-based attraction. By using magnetic force instead of mechanical mechanisms, the system achieves the required contact pressure with a more compact structure, reducing external dimensions while ensuring reliable connection.
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
This design enables highly reliable connections with a simple and compact structure, ensuring uniform contact pressure and improved connection reliability for FPCs and FFCs, while allowing for reduced external dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of attracted members that are formed of magnetic substance... are, via the connection object on which the plurality of contact patterns are arranged to face the plurality of connection terminals, attracted toward the connector body due to magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic connector has a connector body including a magnet, a plurality of connection terminals that are arranged and fixed on the connector body so as to correspond to a plurality of contact patterns of a connection object, and a plurality of attracted members that are formed of magnetic substance, are arranged and fixed on a support member having a sheet-like shape and flexibility so as to correspond to the plurality of contact patterns of the connection object and are, via the connection object on which the plurality of contact patterns are arranged to face the plurality of connection terminals, attracted toward the connector body due to magnetic force whereby the plurality of contact patterns are pressed against the plurality of connection terminals and thereby connected to the plurality of connection terminals.