System for connecting a camera module, or like device, using flat flex cables
View Patent ↗A Flat Flex Connector (FFC) has connector flanges embedded in its insulated electrical traces. The flanges engage electrical circuits in a camera module such as a CMOS or CCD and are clamped into electrical engagement. The opposite end of the FFC makes electrical contact with another electrical device such as a semiconductor circuit. The assembly allows electrical connection of two or more devices in a confined space in which the electrical device are not easily aligned for electrical contact.
1. A method for connecting a camera module to an electrical circuit:
forming electrical contacts for external connections on a camera module;
attaching spring contacts to electrical traces on one end of a flat flex cable (FFC) including the steps of forming the spring contacts on the FFC electrical traces by adhering a metallic sheet to one or more electrical traces, masking the metallic sheet to predetermined shapes, etching the metallic sheet to define spring contacts and singulating the spring contacts; and
engaging the spring contacts with the electrical contacts on the camera module.
2. An electrical connection between a camera module and an electrical circuit made by the process of claim 1 .