Aligning Connector Assembly to Prevent Pin Shear and Misconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses face challenges in providing a tight and firm aligning connection between detachable devices, leading to potential damage of connecting components and accidental misconnection.
Innovation Solution
A connecting assembly with pins, heat dissipating fins, and engaging portions that provide vertical support and foolproof engagement to secure the connection between electronic devices, reducing shear forces and preventing misconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a pin is used to connect two detachable devices, then the connection is simple and easy to implement, but the pin is susceptible to vertical shear force and may be damaged or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into multiple components: the pin, the first engaging portion on the first heat dissipating fin, and the cooperating engaging portion on the second heat dissipating fin. This segmentation distributes the mechanical load across multiple elements rather than concentrating it on the pin alone, thereby reducing shear force on the pin while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanism extends beyond the single insertion direction (first direction) to include vertical support (second direction) and lateral support (third direction). By adding engagement portions that provide support in multiple dimensions, the pin is protected from bearing excessive shear forces in any single direction, resolving the contradiction between simple connection and pin strength.
2Device complexity
If detachable devices are connected without an alignment mechanism, then the connection is simple, but misconnection between incompatible devices may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipating fins and their engaging portions are positioned asymmetrically on the connecting components. This asymmetric arrangement creates a unique geometric configuration that allows connection only between compatible devices with matching fin positions and engaging portion orientations, preventing misconnection while maintaining relatively simple connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipating fins with engaging portions are pre-positioned on the connecting components before connection occurs. This preliminary positioning of the alignment features ensures that when two devices are brought together, the engaging portions automatically align and engage, providing both alignment and misconnection prevention in advance of the actual connection action.
3Reliability
If multiple connecting components are used to improve connection reliability, then connection reliability improves, but the structure becomes more complex and harder to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The pin, the engaging portions, and the heat dissipating fins are merged into integrated connecting components. The first connecting component integrates the pin and the first engaging portions on the first heat dissipating fins, while the second connecting component integrates the corresponding cooperating engaging portions on the second heat dissipating fins. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining the multi-functional reliability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipating fins serve multiple functions: they provide thermal management, structural support, and alignment through their engaging portions. By making the fins multi-functional, the design achieves improved connection reliability without adding dedicated separate components for each function, thereby maintaining ease of assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connecting assembly(13) for providing an aligning connection between a first electronic device(11) and a second electronic device(12) includes a first connecting component(131) disposed on the first electronic device(11), a plurality of first heat dissipating fins(13A) disposed on the first connecting component(131), a second connecting component(132) disposed on the second electronic device(12), a plurality of second heat dissipating fins(13B) disposed on the second connecting component(132), and a pin(133). An engaging portion(13A1) is formed on one of the first heat dissipating fins(13A). A cooperating engaging portion(13B1) is formed on one of the second heat dissipating fins(13B). The pin(133) protrudes from the first connecting component(131) and for being inserted into the second connecting component(132). The engaging portion(13A1) is for abutting against the cooperating engaging portion(13B1) along a direction perpendicular to an inserting direction of the pin(133). Besides, a related electronic apparatus(1) is also provided.