The electrical connector can be used to establish mechanical and electrical connection between a flexible component, such as, a flexible circuit or a flexible cable, and a printed circuit board. The connector generally comprises an upper housing, a contact housing, contacts, expandable leg members and post elements. The expandable legs are disposed on the upper housing. The contacts are disposed in openings in the contact housing. In order to use the connector, the flexible component is placed between the contact housing and the upper housing. Alignment posts ensure that the contacts and the conductors on the flexible component are precisely aligned. The connector is mounted to the circuit board by inserting the expandable legs in mounting holes in the circuit board. Once inserted, the expandable legs can be radially expanded by driving the post elements into the expandable legs. The circuit board also include alignment holes which ensure the proper orientation of the contacts to circuit board. The connector may also include an assembly tool which is adapted to both preload the contacts and drive the post elements into the expandable legs. Additionally, the electrical connector may include a removal tool which can be used to drive the inserted post elements out of the expandable legs.
Systems for electrically interconnecting components are provided. One such system comprises: a flex cable having a first end and a second end; a first connector attached to and electrically communicating with the first end of the flex cable; a second connector attached to and electrically communicating with the second end of the flex cable; and a first retention member extending outwardly from the flex cable.
System for electrically interconnecting components are provided. One such system comprises: a flex cable having a first end and a second end; a first connector attached to a electrically communicating with the first end of the flex cable; a second connector attached to and electrically communicating with the second end of the flex cable; and a first retention member extending outwardly from the flex cable.
A right angle electrical connector assembly includes a connector frame including a plurality of posts, each of the plurality of posts including at least one standoff rib extending therefrom, a flexible circuit having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion being arranged to be connected to a circuit board. The flexible circuit includes a plurality of holes arranged to correspond to the plurality of posts, each of the plurality of posts is received in a respective one of the plurality of holes, and a height of a first major surface of the second end portion of the flexible circuit is set by the at least one standoff rib of each of the plurality of posts.
An electrical connector assembly is provided including first and second circuit boards proximate each other and each having a first side and a second side. The electrical connector assembly includes flex circuits electrically connected to the first and second sides of the first and second circuit boards and carrying electrical signals therebetween. The electrical connector assembly includes load cells having at least one bowed spring, a base plate, and a cover plate. The spring has a peak portion and end portions and is compressed between the base and cover plates. The peak portion engages one of the base and cover plates with the end portions engaging another of the base and cover plates to exert a load force on the base and cover plates. The load cells are aligned opposite each other on the first and second circuit boards and retain the flex circuits thereto.
An apparatus for establishing a substantially unitary connecting structure including a generally flat conductor member carrying a first plurality of first electrical conductors and a second conductor member carrying a second plurality of second electrical conductors includes: (a) an electrical connecting structure configured for receiving the second conductor member to establish electrical connection between at least one first electrical conductor of the first plurality of first electrical conductors and at least one second electrical conductor of the second plurality of second electrical conductors; (b) a generally inflexible support structure; and (c) at least one connecting member traversing the flat conductor member and cooperating with the electrical connecting structure and the support structure for capturing the flat conductor member between the connecting structure and the support structure in an installed orientation.
