Connector Locking Features
As electronic devices are evolving to be more high-performance and compact, portable consumer devices such as PCs, tablets and smartphones have become familiar to us in our daily lives, and we carry them wherever we go. However, the more often you carry portable devices, the greater the risk of dropping them accidentally. The internal cables and connectors used in those portable devices should be shock and vibration resistant.
Connectors with locking functions can strengthen the mating retention force, which helps prevent disengagement of the connection. There are various types of locking methods for connectors.
Contents :
1) CABLINE® Series Locking Function
- Mating Retention Force Data
- CABLINE® Micro-Coaxial Cable Connector Series with Locking Functions
- CABLINE® FPC Connector Series with Locking Functions
2) MHF® Series Locking Function
- Mating Retention Force Data
- MHF® Connector Series with Locking Functions
3) EVAFLEX® Series Locking Function
- FPC Retention Force Data
- EVAFLEX® Connector Series with Auto-Locking Functions
4) MINIFLEX® Series Locking Function
- FPC Retention Force Data
- MINIFLEX® Connector Series with Locking Functions
1) CABLINE® Series Locking Function
Many of the CABLINE® series micro-coaxial cable connectors have locking functions.
For example, the mating procedure for CABLINE®-VS II, 0.5 mm pitch horizontal mating type, is rotating the locking cover of the plug to the receptacle on the PCB after the plug is mated. It has a very simple structure and is designed for easy handling. Also, click feedback from the lock will help to confirm the lock completion. In addition, locking cover can only be locked when mating is complete, so it will help to prevent incomplete mating of the connectors.
Mating Retention Force Data
For example, CABLINE®-VS II 30p plug retention force comparison result shows the plug retention force with lock is about eight times higher than retention force without a lock applied.
* I-PEX also can also evaluate vibration, impact, drop test, etc. under the customer's usage conditions.
CABLINE®-UM is a 0.4 mm pitch low-profile vertical mating type connector and has a unique locking cover structure that enables auto-locking.
CABLINE® Micro-Coaxial Cable Connector Series with Locking Functions
| Product Names | Key Features |
|---|---|
| CABLINE®-VS II | 0.5 mm pitch, horizontal mating, ZenShield® EMC connector |
| CABLINE®-VS | 0.5 mm pitch, horizontal mating |
| CABLINE®-CA II | 0.4 mm pitch, horizontal mating, ZenShield® EMC connector |
| CABLINE®-CA II PLUS | 0.4 mm pitch, horizontal mating, ZenShield® EMC connector |
| CABLINE®-CA | 0.4 mm pitch, horizontal mating |
| CABLINE®-CAL | 0.4 mm pitch, horizontal mating, Low-profile (0.8 mm max.) |
| CABLINE®-UM | 0.4 mm pitch, vertical mating, auto-locking, ZenShield® EMC connector |
| CABLINE®-CX II | 0.25 mm pitch, horizontal mating |
Some CABLINE® series also have FPC options
CABLINE® FPC Connector Series with Locking Functions
| Product Names | Key Features |
|---|---|
| CABLINE®-VS IIF | 0.5 mm pitch, horizontal mating, ZenShield® EMC connector |
| CABLINE®-VSF | 0.5 mm pitch, horizontal mating |
| CABLINE®-CA IIF | 0.4 mm pitch, horizontal mating, ZenShield® EMC connector |
| CABLINE®-CAF | 0.4 mm pitch, horizontal mating |
2) MHF® Series Locking Function
The MHF® micro RF connector series has an LK type equipped with a locking function. Its patented mechanical locking feature greatly improves the plug retention force compared to common micro RF connectors in the same category in the market.
Mating Retention Force Data
For example, MHF® I series connector plug retention force comparison result shows the plug retention force with lock (MHF® I LK) is about doubled compared to the MHF® I connector without the mechanical lock function. In addition, after mating and unmating the MHF® I LK plug 30 times without applying mechanical lock, the mating retention force with mechanical lock is about three times that of the MHF® I connector. This high retention force makes it possible for the MHF® I LK to ensure high signal connection reliability even under continuous impact and vibration.
MHF® Connector Series with Locking Functions
| Product Names | Key Features | Applicable Cable Size |
|---|---|---|
| MHF® I LK | Frequency range: Up to 9 GHz | AWG#30 (O.D. 1.80 mm ＆ 1.37 mm) AWG#32 (O.D. 1.32 mm ＆ 1.13 mm) AWG#36 (O.D. 0.81 mm) |
| MHF® 4L LK | Frequency range: Up to 12 GHz | AWG#30 (O.D. 1.37 mm) |
| MHF®-TI | High retention force (90N minimum) | AWG#24 (O.D. 3.00 mm) AWG#26 (O.D. 2.80 mm) |
3) EVAFLEX® Series Locking Function
EVAFLEX® FFC/FPC connectors have an auto-locking feature that can mate FFC/FPC with one action, making them more robust and durable than traditional FFC/FPC connectors. Its one-step operation also helps improve productivity and is also designed for robotic automation.
There are lock pins with a flexible guide shape in the EVAFLEX® series connector that lock when inserting a notched FPC / FFC. Also, click feedback from the lock will help to prevent half-mating insertion. The auto-lock structure reliably holds the notched FFC, creating excellent retention force against pulling and vibration.
FPC Retention Force Data
For example, EVAFLEX® 5-HD 24p connector, FPC retention force comparison result shows the FPC retention force with the lock is about three times higher than retention force without a lock applied.
EVAFLEX® Connector Series with Auto-Locking Functions
| Product Names | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|
| EVAFLEX® 5-HD | 0.5 mm pitch, horizontal mating, ZenShield® EMC connector | |
| EVAFLEX® 5-SE-G HT | 0.5 mm pitch, horizontal mating, with ground terminal | Common design FPC/FFC |
| EVAFLEX® 5-SE-G VT | 0.5 mm pitch, vertical mating, with ground terminal | |
| EVAFLEX® 5-SE | 0.5 mm pitch, horizontal mating | Common design FPC/FFC |
| EVAFLEX® 5-SE VT | 0.5 mm pitch, vertical mating | |
| EVAFLEX® 5-VS | 0.5 mm pitch, horizontal mating, foot pattern compatible with CABLINE®-VS | |
| EVAFLEX® 5 | 0.5 mm pitch, horizontal mating, foot pattern compatible with TV panel standard | |
4) MINIFLEX® Series Locking Function
MINIFLEX® FPC / FFC connector, commonly referred to as ZIFs or LIFs, also has an LK type with a mechanical lock option.
High retention force is created by the lock contacts. These contacts are on both side walls of the connector and are designed to catch and hold the designated cut out area of the FPC. They are perfect for applications that require higher FPC retention force and for adding FPC retention force for smaller pin counts.
FPC Retention Force Data
For example, MINIFLEX® 3-BFN series, 0.3 mm pitch, horizontal mating FPC/FFC connector, 19p type FPC retention force comparison result shows the FPC retention force with the lock, LK type, is about 1.7 times higher than retention force without a locking connector.
MINIFLEX® Connector Series with Locking Functions
| Product Names | Key Features |
|---|---|
| MINIFLEX® 175-ST | 0.175 mm pitch, super low profile (0.52 mm) |
| MINIFLEX® 3-BFN LK | 0.3 mm pitch |
| MINIFLEX® 3-BFN L-LK-HD | 0.3 mm pitch, robust type |
| MINIFLEX® 4-ST | 0.4 mm pitch, super low profile (0.50 mm) |
| MINIFLEX® 5-BFN II LK | 0.5 mm pitch, for high-temp. (125ºC) |
| DW-5 | 0.5 mm pitch, hybrid type for FPC and discrete wire |
