Rotating Actuator Electrical Connector for FPC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for flexible printed circuits (FPCs) and flexible flat cables (FFCs) face challenges in providing a stable and efficient connection that prevents unintentional disconnection, requiring complex operation procedures for connection and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design features a housing with rotating metal actuator and fixing tabs, where the actuator rotates to disengage the lock portion from the FPC/FFC under spring force, allowing for secure engagement and efficient connection/disconnection without manual actuation of the actuator back to its original position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking component is used to prevent unintentional disconnection, then connection stability is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion automatically resets the actuator to its original position after rotation, eliminating the need for manual reset operations. The locking component self-activates upon insertion, engaging the lock portion with the FPC/FFC without requiring additional manual steps
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to rotate between locked and unlocked positions, with the spring portion providing dynamic automatic reset functionality. This dynamic mechanism allows simple one-handed operation while maintaining secure locking during connection
2Reliability
If a manual actuator reset mechanism is required, then connection security is maintained, but connection speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion serves itself by automatically returning the actuator to the original position after rotation, eliminating the need for manual reset operations. This self-resetting mechanism maintains connection security while dramatically improving connection speed
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion is pre-loaded to store elastic energy, which is automatically released to reset the actuator after rotation. This preliminary energy storage enables rapid automatic reset without requiring additional manual intervention
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 enhances the speed and efficiency of connecting and reconnecting FPCs/FFCs by eliminating the need to manually reset the actuator, ensuring stable connections and reducing operation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator resumes from the release position to the original position under a resilient force exerted thereon by the spring portion of the fixing tab
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector comprises a housing, a plurality of contacts arranged in the housing, an actuator mounted on the housing, capable of rotating with reference to the housing and a pair of fixing tabs positioned in the vicinity of two ends of the actuator. Each fixing tab has a lock portion for engaging with a flexible printed circuited connected to the electrical connector and a spring portion connected to the lock portion. The fixing tab is engaged with the actuator so that rotation of the actuator from an original position to a release position causes the lock portion of the fixing tab to disengage with the flexible printed circuit connected to the electrical connector and the actuator resumes from the release position to the original position under a resilient force exerted thereon by the spring portion of the fixing tab.