With the ongoing evolution of regulations for automotive LED lighting in Europe, Japan, and other regions, the penetration rate of daytime running lights continues to rise, while interior and instrument panel designs are also being consistently upgraded. Against this backdrop, demand for flexible printed circuits (FPCs) in automobiles has significantly increased, particularly in key electrical connection scenarios such as battery management systems (BMS), where the application scope of FPCs continues to expand.
To align with this trend, Panasonic Corporation has officially announced that it will fully commence mass production of its new "Board-to-FPC Connector" within 2019. This connector employs an innovative structure with fewer components, effectively simplifying the assembly process and freeing up design space, thereby facilitating optimized layouts for automotive LED lighting and other electronic components. This contributes to reduced vehicle weight and lower energy consumption.
(Image source: Panasonic official website)
The new connector offers the following technical highlights:
-
-
Direct Connection Structure: Utilizes a specialized metal terminal design to enable direct connection between FPCs and circuit boards, eliminating the need for traditional intermediate wiring harnesses. This not only reduces the number of components but also significantly streamlines the assembly process.
-
High Vibration Resistance: A dual-clamp contact structure ensures a secure connection, complying with stringent automotive vibration standards and making it suitable for high-vibration environments such as LED vehicle lights and battery management systems (BMS).
-
Foolproof and Easy Connection Design: The connector consists of a plug (FPC side) and a socket (board side), incorporating an inertial locking mechanism to prevent incomplete engagement and enhance overall connection reliability.
According to Panasonic, this connector can be widely used in cable connections for daytime running lights, tail lights, rearview mirrors, instrument panels, gearshift levers, steering switches, BMS, and onboard cameras, among other devices. It provides key support for the compact, lightweight, and highly reliable electronic architecture of vehicles.
As the automotive industry continues to advance toward electrification and intelligence, Panasonic's newly introduced connector technology is expected to further promote the integration and performance enhancement of related components.
