Metallic Latch Flat Cable Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for resilient flat cables are prone to damage due to external resistance and lack sufficient strength, causing the cable to detach from the connector, and their design complicates the molding process of the plastic base.
Innovation Solution
A connector structure featuring a connection base with terminals, a pivoted lid member, and latch members made of metallic materials, where the latch members engage with recesses on the flat cable to secure it, using brake shafts to actuate the latch arms and prevent the cable from departing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fix blocks are used to secure the flat cable, then the cable can be held in place, but the fix blocks are easily damaged due to external resistance and lack sufficient strength
Solution Approach 1:
The connector combines a plastic base with metallic latch members to create a composite structure. The plastic base provides insulation and structural support, while the metallic latch members provide high strength and damage resistance for the fixing function, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing function is segmented from the base structure by using separate latch members that can be independently optimized. The latch members are specifically designed as metallic components to handle mechanical stress, while the plastic base focuses on electrical insulation and overall structure, allowing each part to excel at its specific function.
2Ease of manufacture
If fix blocks are projected from the plastic base, then the cable can be secured, but the mold design becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The latch members are designed as separate components from the plastic base, allowing the base mold to remain simple while the latch members can be manufactured separately and attached. This segmentation simplifies the molding process while achieving the required structural complexity for reliable cable securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch members act as intermediary components between the plastic base and the flat cable. Instead of integrating the fixing mechanism directly into the base mold, the latch members serve as intermediate elements that provide the securing function while keeping the base design simple and easy to manufacture.
3Volume of moving object
If the connector is made small in size, then it is more compact, but the fixing structure becomes insufficient and the cable can easily depart
Solution Approach 1:
The use of metallic latch members provides high strength in a compact form factor. The metallic material allows for smaller cross-sections while maintaining sufficient fixing strength, enabling the connector to be small in size without compromising the cable securing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector structure, accommodating a flat cable via a front end thereof is disclosed. The flat cable defines a recess at each lateral side thereof; and the connector structure includes a connection base, a lid member, a plurality of terminals, and a pair of latch members being made of metallic materials. The connection base has a base portion, a pair of sidewalls extending backwards from two lateral sides of the base portion respectively. The lid member includes a pair of pivotal shafts pivoted respectively to the sidewalls of the connection base, and a pair of brake shafts each being adjacent to an inner side of each pivotal shaft. Each of the latch members is secured to each sidewall of the connection base, and has a latch arm. After the lid member covers over, the brake shafts actuate the latch arms in order to engage the recesses of the flat cable.