ELIV Congress: Board-to-cable connector for battery management gets connector position assurance

Author: EIS Release Date: Aug 15, 2023

Yamaichi Electronics has added optional CPA (connector position assurance) to its automotive Y-Lock Pullforce board-to-cable connectors for battery management and cell contacting.

 

Yamaichi Electronics Y-Lock v4

Found in Y-Lock Version 4, the CPA is located on the stiffener side and latches with the connector when actuated.

 

“The FFC-FPC can only be released after the CPA has been unlocked,” according to the company. “The v4 also has the front and side locking with pull-force function, so that secure locking is ensured even without CPA. Another advantage is integrated contact protection that ensures the FFC/FPC is covered by the stiffener from all four sides and that there is no danger if the cable is still under voltage after it has been released.” – FFC is ‘flexible flat cable’, FPC is ‘flexible printed circuit’.

 

 

Different pitches and a range of pin counts are available, and contact distances, such as 1.3 or 1.8mm, can be chosen for varying clearance and creepage requirements.

 

 

Profile height is 4.5mm.

 

The FFC or FPC is inserted into the connector using the pre-assembled stiffener. In common with v3 types, in v4 types the stiffener automatically engages in two steps, first via lateral locking hooks, the via the double front locking. (v3 types are lower profile – 3.9mm – and can be used when the flexi does not have voltage on it during or after disconnection.

 

Guide pins aid blind plugging and contacting. “Blind mating is particularly advantageous for applications that are difficult to access or where space is limited,” said Yamaichi.

 

Disconnection is by pulling out the FFC or FPC – “mechanical actuation of the connector is not required”, it added.

 

The connectors are qualified to the LV214 German automotive safety standard.

 

See them on stand 151 at the ELIV Congress in Bonn (18-19 October 2023).