Sliding Split Connector Housing for Low-Force FPC Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for flexible printed circuit boards face challenges with high insertion force due to friction, damage risk during insertion, poor adhesive dispensing tolerance, and inaccurate alignment, primarily due to the crimping process and rigid housing design.
Innovation Solution
A split-design electrical connector housing with independent first and second housing parts that assemble in a sliding manner, featuring a receiving slot for connection terminals and circuit boards, allowing easy insertion and secure locking with minimal external force, and incorporating a sliding guide bar and locking notch for precise alignment and reduced pressure resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the assembly of flexible printed circuit board and connection terminals is inserted into the housing as a whole, then physical and electrical connections are achieved, but the insertion force becomes excessively large due to friction between elastic sheets and plastic housing
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a fixed housing and a movable housing that can slide relative to each other. The movable housing contains the receiving slot and can move independently to reduce friction during insertion, while the fixed housing provides structural support. This segmentation allows the insertion process to occur in stages with reduced resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable housing is designed to slide dynamically during the insertion process. As the assembly is inserted, the movable housing moves along the sliding direction, continuously adjusting its position to minimize friction between the elastic sheets and housing walls, thereby reducing the overall insertion force required.
2Reliability
If the assembly is inserted into the housing as a whole, then connection is established, but damage risk to copper foils of crimping portions increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the housing into fixed and movable parts, the insertion process is softened and distributed over a longer distance. The movable housing absorbs some of the insertion stress through its sliding motion, preventing concentrated forces from damaging the delicate copper foils in the crimping portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding mechanism of the movable housing acts as a cushioning element before the assembly is fully inserted. The friction reduction and gradual motion provide a cushioning effect that protects the copper foils from sudden impact or excessive force during the insertion process.
3Strength
If the housing uses a rigid single-piece design, then structural strength is maintained, but tolerance for adhesive dispensing variations is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into fixed and movable parts that can be manufactured separately with more relaxed tolerance requirements. This allows for greater flexibility in adhesive dispensing and assembly variations, as each part can be independently manufactured and then assembled through the sliding connection, reducing the cumulative tolerance constraints of a single-piece design.
4Ease of manufacture
If the housing is designed as a single integrated piece, then manufacturing is simpler, but alignment accuracy between connection terminals and through holes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the housing into separate fixed and movable parts allows for independent manufacturing and assembly. The sliding connection between parts provides built-in alignment features and tolerance compensation, enabling accurate alignment between connection terminals and through holes even when manufactured separately, thus maintaining or improving alignment accuracy while simplifying manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector housing includes a first housing part, and a second housing part independent of the first housing part. At least one of the first housing part or the second housing part defines a receiving slot for receiving a plurality of connection terminals and a circuit board. The first housing part and the second housing part are adapted to be assembled together in a sliding manner. An electrical connector is also provided which includes the abovementioned electrical connector housing.