Electronics Weekly Electronics Design & Components Tech News
Hirose has designed a miniature hybrid flexible printed circuit (FPC) to board connector family called BK22 that can handle signals and power totalling 100W – for USB fast-charging, for example.
By “using an FPC to connect the USB to the PCB, the USB can be placed anywhere within the design of the end-product”, according to the company. “BK22 suppresses heat generation to 30°C or less, even when 15A is applied.”
Ratings are 60V ac or dc and -55 to +85°C.
Mated height is 0.7mm and width is ~2.5mm, and the parts have two power contacts and either four (5mm long) or six signal contacts (5.4mm).
Power contacts each have six points of contacts between mated pairs, and signal contacts each have two.
Construction-wise, there are guidance ribs to assist accurate mating – self alignment works over ±0.47mm in pitch and ±0.4mm in width – and both ends of the housing are covered with metal to reduce the risk of damage should there be misalignment during mating attempts.
A multi-point metal lock prevents reduces the chance of unintended unmating due to impact. The official disconnection technique is to lever up from one end, not one side, but this only works of the flexy PCB is rigid enough. “If the FPC is not rigid enough, there is a possibility of solder peeling or connector damage,” said Hirose
For soldering, Features are included for pick and place mounting, and an insert molded header and receptacle eliminate gaps between the terminals and housing to prevent solder wicking.
Portable device applications are foreseen, in audio players, cameras, laptops and gaming consoles, as the company also envisages them in wearable such as ear buds, smart watches and smart glasses.
