Membrane switch connectors connect the keypad and the device or machine. Connectors consist of a contact device and a molded plastic housing. Knowing which connector to use for a certain application can be difficult as you will need to think about ways to accommodate connector durability and minimize unwanted space when deciding how to terminate your membrane switch.
Flexible membrane switches are connected by a flexible tail that is cut from the circuit material. This flexible tail can be connected to a circuit board with a variety of single row connectors designed for flex circuits. Or, the tail can be designed to interface with a Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) connector. Typically, the lowest-cost and most popular interconnect is a ZIF connector. Flex circuits may also be terminated with solder tabs that can be directly soldered onto the circuit board.
Connector Options:
ZIF Connectors
ZIF connectors have no physical connector on your membrane switch and rely on a receptacle connector. It is important to choose a ZIF connector that is suggested for membrane switches and to keep in mind that smaller pitches are available in polyimide flexible printed circuits only.
ZIF connectors meet a range of requirements including low profile, lightweight, secure, and removable connections. ZIF connectors are appropriate for more complex applications and allow for higher levels of integration. For ZIF connections, the connector system is not on the membrane tail, but on the PCB. The tail of the circuit is inserted into the ZIF connector to create the contact, and a stiffener is laminated under the tail to ensure stability and maintenance of the electrical contact. ZIF connectors may have anywhere from 2 to 30 positions on a single row, and distances of between 1mm and 2.54 mm are available.
Male, Female, or Solder Tab Housings:
These types of connectors are considered to be more reliable against heavy shock and vibration. They also are known for more ease of assembly. With a much larger connection, male, female, and solder connectors have pins crimped to the circuit and are available with many different housing features. The tail pitch is available in .100” spacing.
Crimpflex Connecting System by Nicomatic
Nicomatic Crimpflex connectors conform to Berg, Molex, and Amp membrane switch connecting specifications by utilizing common pins in a specific housing to meet connection requirements. The Crimpflex crimping presses are dedicated to the manual and pneumatic crimping of male and female contacts and are known for their reliability, ruggedness, simplicity of use, speed, and precision. The Crimpflex contacts ensure mechanical retention and electrical contact by piercing the conductor in six points. The contacts are available in male, male solder tab, and female versions; the female contacts are selective gold or tin-plated. Crimpflex connectors’ standing housings are available in the OF series, which fits with the most common interfaces, or the OM series, which interfaces with cables and comes with an locking system that can be oriented to meet your specifications.
