Bidirectional Vehicle Connector With Opposing Claws

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic connectors on vehicle boards allow only single-direction insertion of blade-shaped terminals and are not tolerant to lateral misalignment, limiting efficient electrical connections, especially in cluttered environments.

Innovation Solution

A female electrical connector with two opposite claws that can receive a blade from either side, allowing bidirectional insertion and accommodating lateral misalignment, featuring spring blades with a linking portion to ensure secure contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single claw is used to receive the blade, then the connector structure is simple, but the blade can only be inserted from one direction and lateral misalignment cannot be compensated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion direction flexibilityVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into two separate claws positioned opposite each other, each capable of independently receiving the blade. This segmentation allows the blade to be inserted from either side of the electronic board while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of two basic claw elements rather than a complex single-component design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two-opposite-claws design provides multi-functionality by enabling the connector to accept blade insertion from both directions (front and back of the board) and to compensate for lateral misalignment. Each claw serves as a universal receiving element that can adapt to blades approaching from either direction, increasing the connector's versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the connector is designed for single-direction insertion, then the manufacturing is simple, but the ease of operation is reduced in cluttered environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade insertion flexibilityVSAvoidconnector fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the connector into two independent claws positioned opposite each other, the design enables blades to be inserted from either direction, significantly improving ease of operation in cluttered environments where access from one side may be blocked. The manufacturing process remains relatively simple as it involves creating two separate but identical claw structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector design allows insertion from the opposite direction compared to traditional single-sided connectors. By positioning claws on both sides of the board, the system accepts blades approaching from either direction, effectively applying the inversion principle to improve operational flexibility without complicating the basic claw structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a claw is positioned to compensate for misalignment, then connection reliability improves, but the connector only accepts blades from one direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidinsertion direction options

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connector uses two segmented claws positioned opposite each other, where each claw can independently compensate for lateral misalignment while also enabling bidirectional insertion. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high connection reliability through misalignment compensation on both sides of the board while simultaneously providing versatility in insertion direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each claw is designed with multi-functionality: it can receive blades from either direction and compensate for lateral misalignment. This universal design ensures that connection reliability is maintained regardless of which side the blade is inserted from, while also providing the versatility of dual-directional acceptance without requiring different claw designs for each side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables reliable and efficient electrical connections by allowing bidirectional insertion and compensating for lateral misalignment, ensuring stable contact surfaces even when the blade is offset, thus improving connection reliability and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

the claws are respectively formed by at least two opposite spring blades, configured such that a return force brings them towards each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10923845B2Electrical equipment for an automobile vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 VALEO SIEMENS EAUTOMOTIVE FRANCE SAS

AI summary

The subject matter of the invention is an electrical equipment, notably configured to be on board a vehicle, including an electronic board, a female electrical connector transferred onto the electronic board and configured to receive a blade so as to electrically connect it with the electronic board. Said connector includes two claws opposite and at a distance from each other, the two claws being configured to receive said blade while each coming around a respective lateral trench of the blade.