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Modern FFC/FPC connectors (FFC- Flat Flexible Cables; FPC- Flexible Printed Circuits), especially in the increasingly demanding pitch of 0.5 mm, make it difficult to avoid unfortunate assembly errors.
LIF-connectors (Low Insertion Force) generally hold the FFC/FPC in position only through contact force and are therefore very vulnerable to vibration and shock loads. For this reason, they are generally not suitable for critical systems.
Current ZIF-connectors (Zero Insertion Force) are generally based on a simple but effective principle: the foil cable has a notch or lug in the contact area on both sides. When inserting the cable into the connector body, this lug will be put into an appropriate slot and so prevent misalignment of the connector assembly. The retention force of the cable is increased, however, such connectors cannot be truly considered foolproof. Due to the flap necessary for the insertion process, horizontal versions are susceptible to disconnection by a vertical pull of the cable. Also, it is difficult to visually monitor proper closure during production. Possible solutions have been developed, in which an additional plastic body around the FFC/FPC locks it by clipping in a support element, but the additional costs involved make widespread uptake unlikely.
I-Pex has solved this problem with the new FFC/FPC-connector family “Evaflex5”. This range uses automatic internal locking of the FFC/FPC-cable in the connector body, offering a connection technology for the automotive and industrial sectors as error-free and as easy to assemble as possible.
This new connector has now also been released as a shielded variant (for internal LVDS-data transfer) and as an optimised unshielded version for the industrial and automotive sector (Evaflex5 SE).
New Auto-Lock Principle
Most ZIF-connectors are currently based on a flap function, meaning the user has to open the connector (unless it can be provided already opened), put in the FFC/ FPC and close again. With Evaflex5, the user pushes the foil cable into the connector and receives a clear and perceptible engagement when the cable locks in automatically. To disconnect, the user can simply press two release buttons.
The original idea and development background behind the auto-lock principle lie in the TV sector. Here, two part connector systems are common for internal LVDS data transfer via FFC. With most of these 41 or 51 pin connector systems, providers have first to assemble the suitable connector body on the cable side. Among other things, Evaflex Auto-Lock principle removes this cost element. The shielded LVDS connector family with a 0.5 mm pitch has a compatible printed circuit board layout with the current standard connectors in the TV sector, so it is easy to use and cut costs. With Evaflex5 there is no longer a requirement to assemble the FFC cable side.
The shielded, impedance-controlled 100Ω FFC is supplied directly by Duplex CSA in the desired length and suitable layout. The customer needs only to assemble the connector to the existing printed circuit board layout and push the FFC into the connector till it locks automatically. This fully shielded variant of Evaflex5 is designed to support such standards as Display-Port, iDP, HDMI and V-By-OneHS.
New Contact Design
In talks with OEM’s and Tier-1-supppliers of the automotive industry, three main concerns were identified:
- Unsecure connection
- Dirt/ foreign bodies on the contact surfaces
- Long-term stability of the connection
To address these issues, the “W”-contact design (below) was developed. This ensures higher contact reliability, in addition to removing potential foreign bodies on the contact surface.
CONTACT DUPLEX CSA for more information
paul@duplexcsa.co.uk
01480 406206
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