Useful for Increased Capacity, Advanced Functions, and Small Size Conversion of Automotive Battery
FPC Direct Connection Structure ZK1, TF70, TB4 Series

FPC Direct Connection Structure ZK1, TF70, TB4 Series

In order to extend the driving range of EVs (electric vehicles), battery capacity is increasing and advanced functions/small size are being introduced. The trend is changing from cable connection (discrete wire connection) to FPC/FFC connection.

To meet these needs, Hirose Electric began selling 3 types of FPC/FFC connectors in 2024. All of these connectors have an FPC direct connection structure and require little time to harness.

These FPC/FFC connectors are of automotive quality and feature high heat resistance performance, making them widely applicable to industrial equipment such as machine device and robots.

3 Comparison of Series's Main Specifications

	ZK1 Series	TF70 Series	TB4 Series
Item Images
Features	High Hardness, CPA Included	Narrow Pitch, Vertical Variation	Low Back
Structure	FPC Direct Connection	FPC Direct Connection	FPC Direct Connection
Pitch	FPC Pitch＝2mm×2 sheets Mounting Pitch＝1mm	0.5mm	1mm
Height	11mm	6mm	4.5mm
Depth	25.1mm	11mm	12.5mm
Number of Positions	Available : 32 Under Planning : 24, 40	Available : 50 Under Planning : 30	Available : 16, 30 Under Planning : 10, 22
CPA Support	✓	ー	ー
Vertical	ー	✓	ー
Operating Temperature	-40 to 125℃	-40 to 105℃	-40 to 125℃
Lock Strength (N)	100	98.1 (10kgf)	98.1 (10kgf)
Prying Force (Top)	78N or more	ー	60N or more
Vibration	LV214-S3, USCAR-V2	ー	USCAR-V2

Features

Advantages of Replacing FPC-to-Board Connectivity (Simplified Assembly, Small Size/Light Weight Set)

The discrete wire method requires more man-hours to harness, as it requires soldering, Crimp, and insertion into each Contact. In addition, the weight increases in proportion to the number of cores.
On the other hand, FPC direct connection can be completed simply by inserting the FPC into the plug housing and attaching a retainer. There is little variation in quality, and features advantage is that it is light because it is FPC.

[Until Now] Discrete Wire System

・Harness process is complicated (Soldering, Crimp and Contact insertion)
・Crimp Contact and wires equal to the number of cores are required
・Weight increases in proportion to the number of cores (electric dose)
・space-saving for bending R of wires for routing is required

[From Now] FPC Direct Connection Structure

・Simply insert FPC and attach retainer
・Light
・Can be routed with Space-saving

High Contact Reliability

These FPC/FFC connectors (ZK1, TF70, TB4 Series) are designed with a wide effective engagement length to ensure contact reliability.
In addition, the ZK1 and TB4 Series have an independent Two-point Contact Design to help remove foreign objects during connection and maintain the connection if a foreign object is caught in one of the contacts.
(The structure of TB4 series is shown as an example.)

TF70 Series Offers a Choice of Right Angle or Straight Connections

With a narrow pitch of 0.5 mm, features TF70 series offers a choice of right angle or straight vertical variations. The FPC/FFC connectors allow flexibility in design because they can be selected according to application specifications.

Use Cases, Key application/Applications

In-Vehicle
Battery/Battery Cell

Onboard Module

Industrial Robot/
Machine Device

Industrial Storage
Battery

Click Here for Other Recommended Connectors for Autonomous Driving.

Hirose's Approach to Automotive Connectors

*In cases where the application will demand a high level of reliability, such as automotive, please contact a company representative for further information.
*The contents and specifications are subject to change.

Useful for Increased Capacity, Advanced Functions, and Small Size Conversion of Automotive BatteryFPC Direct Connection Structure ZK1, TF70, TB4 Series