Connector for a flat flexible cable

An electrical connection system, comprising:

• a flexible cable extending between first and second ends, the flexible cable having a plurality of electrical conductors electrically isolated from one another by an insulating jacket;
• a first connector at the first end of the flexible cable, the first connector including:
• a first body having a first surface contiguously engaging the first end of the flexible cable;
• a set of first pins extending through the first body, each one of the first pins electrically contacting a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors;
• a set of first contacts arranged on the first surface, each one of the first contacts being electrically interconnected with a respective first pin;
• a first catch cooperatively engaging the first body and mechanically fixing the first end of the flexible cable against the first surface;
• a set of second contacts arranged on the first catch, each one of the second contacts cooperatively mating with a respective one of the first contacts;
• and
• a first link electrically interconnecting the second contacts and making an electrical connection with the respective one of the first contacts;
• and
• a second connector at the second end of the flexible cable, the second connector including:
• a second body having a second surface contiguously engaging the second end of the flexible cable;
• a set of second pins extending through the second body, each one of the second pins electrically contacting a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors;
• a set of third contacts arranged on the second surface, each one of the third contacts being electrically interconnected with a respective second pin;
• a second catch cooperatively engaging the second body and mechanically fixing the second end of the flexible cable against the second surface;
• a set of fourth contacts arranged on the second catch, each one of the fourth contacts cooperatively mating with a respective one of the third contacts;
• and
• a second link electrically interconnecting the fourth contacts.

A method for testing an electrical connection system, the method comprising:

• providing a flexible cable extending between first and second ends, the flexible cable having a plurality of electrical conductors electrically isolated from one another by an insulating jacket;
• providing a first connector at the first end of the flexible cable, the first connector including:
• a first body having a first surface contiguously engaging the first end of the flexible cable;
• a set of first pins extending through the first body, each one of the first pins electrically contacting a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors;
• a set of first contacts arranged on the first surface, each one of the first contacts being electrically interconnected with a respective first pin;
• a first catch cooperatively engaging the first body and mechanically fixing the first end of the flexible cable against the first surface;
• a set of second contacts arranged on the first catch, each one of the second contacts cooperatively mating with a respective one of the first contacts;
• and
• a first link electrically interconnecting the second contacts;
• and
• providing a second connector at the second end of the flexible cable, the second connector including:
• a second body having a second surface contiguously engaging the second end of the flexible cable;
• a set of second pins extending through the second body, each one of the second pins electrically contacting a respective one of the plurality of electrical conductors;
• a set of third contacts arranged on the second surface, each one of the third contacts being electrically interconnected with a respective second pin;
• a second catch cooperatively engaging the second body and mechanically fixing the second end of the flexible cable against the second surface;
• a set of fourth contacts arranged on the second catch, each one of the fourth contacts cooperatively mating with a respective one of the third contacts;
• and
• a second link electrically interconnecting the fourth contacts;
• providing a measuring device electrically interconnecting one of the first contacts and its respective first pin;
• applying an electrical signal with the measuring device;
• and
• determining an existence of an electrical loop including the first contacts, the second contacts, the third contacts, the fourth contacts, the first link, the second link, the respective ones of the first pins, the respective ones of the second pins, the respective ones of the plurality of electrical conductors, and the measuring device.