Hirose Electric Releases Compact Multi-Power Hybrid FPC-to-Board Connector

In an industry where every millimeter counts, connector manufacturer Hirose Electric has rolled out a new series of multi-power hybrid flexible printed circuit (FPC)-to-board connectors. The new BK11 series connectors are designed for today’s ultra-compact, battery-powered electronics, including smartphones, wearables, and wireless earbuds. The connectors integrate power and signal contacts into a single, compact package, allowing designers to achieve new levels of miniaturization without sacrificing performance or reliability.

The BK11 series multi-power hybrid FPC-to-board connector features six power contacts and 10 signal contacts. Image used courtesy of Hirose Electric

BK11 Series Multi-Power Hybrid FPC-to-Board Connector

The primary innovation of the BK11 series is its hybrid design. It combines six power contacts and 10 signal contacts within a connector that measures just 5.33 mm long and 1.9 mm wide. With a mere 0.35 mm pitch and 0.6 mm stacking height, this connector is purpose-built for low-profile applications.

By carefully allocating pins, Hirose has managed to reduce the total number of contacts needed. According to the company, the new BK11 connectors save up to 46% of mounting space compared to conventional hybrid connectors. This space efficiency is achieved by supporting a multi-power configuration rather than requiring a dedicated signal contact for every function. 

This flexible power allocation is a core feature of the BK11 series. The BK11’s power contacts can be configured in two main ways:

• Four sub-power contacts at 2.5 A per pin, plus two main power contacts at 4 A per pin.
• Or, for applications needing more punch, the contacts can be configured to deliver 8 A across two main positions, supporting a higher-power draw.

This flexibility allows engineers to tailor the connector’s performance to their specific power distribution needs, whether they’re powering a multi-camera module in a smartphone or a wireless charging coil in a pair of earbuds.

Hirose has built the BK11 series to be more compact than traditional hybrid connectors. Image used courtesy of Hirose Electric

Rugged, Space-Saving Power

Miniaturization often comes with a trade-off in durability. Connectors this small are typically fragile, prone to misalignment, and susceptible to damage during assembly. The BK11, however, incorporates several features to mitigate these common issues, making it reliable both on the production line and in the hands of the end-user.

First, the connector features a fully armored design. The metal armor covers both ends of the housing, providing enhanced protection and significantly reducing the risk of housing damage from misalignment during the mating process. This is a critical feature for high-volume manufacturing environments where slight errors in pick-and-place can lead to significant yield losses.

In addition to the physical armor, the BK11 boasts a wide self-alignment range of ±0.32 mm in the pitch direction and ±0.23 mm in the width direction. This generous tolerance simplifies mating, reduces the need for precise alignment, and provides a clear tactile click when fully mated, giving operators and automated systems a satisfying confirmation of a secure connection.

Furthermore, the design includes a molded plug and receptacle that prevents solder wicking, a problem in surface-mount technology (SMT) assembly. This detail further enhances the reliability of the manufacturing process, ensuring strong and clean solder joints.

The BK11 series’ compact design and power contact usage gives flexibility to designers building smartphones and wearables. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock

Designing Consumer Electronics

With the average consumer demanding more power, faster data, and longer battery life from devices that are getting smaller, the electronics industry faces a constant engineering challenge. The BK11 series directly addresses this trend by providing a high-performance, compact, and robust solution for FPC-to-board connections.

This flexibility and reliability make the BK11 a compelling option for a wide range of portable devices. Its combination of high current capacity, reduced footprint, and robust design makes it an ideal choice for the next generation of space-constrained, battery-powered products, helping designers deliver on the promise of smaller, lighter, and more reliable consumer electronics.