How to Recover from breaking a keyboard Ribbon to MB Connector?

I have a Dell inspirion Laptop. I opened the case to change the 500 gig HHD and replace with a 1 TB Hybrid Drive. To do so required the removal of the keyboard ribbon. When I slipped my finger nail under the top bar of the connecter it simply shattered, I suppose from the years of being exposed to heat. I asked Dell if they could order the connector for me and I would resolder to MB. They said they do not stock that part and can not order it either.

The confusing part is the contacts at the end of the ribbon has a thick layer of plastic on top of the pins and a thinner layer of plastic on the bottom of the ribbon. With that in mind how do the pins of the Ribbon make contact with the pins on the MB? I know the

piece

broke on the connector is plastic, thus how does the top pinch the wire in place and assures that the broken part of the connector makes contact with the pins in the MB Thank you!!

Where can I purchase this part or how can I fix the broken one.

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