Board Connector Fixing Member With Nested Spring Locking Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing members for circuit boards incur high material costs due to the need for large spring restoring forces, which often require increased width, leading to enlarged dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A fixing member design with a resiliently deformable spring portion arranged inwardly in the width direction, formed by bending a protruding portion intersecting the projecting direction, and a board contact portion, allowing for reduced material cost and size while maintaining spring restoring force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the spring length is increased by causing the spring part to protrude in the width direction, then the spring restoring force is improved, but the fixing member is enlarged in the width direction and material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion is configured to extend in the plate thickness direction (vertical dimension) rather than the width direction (horizontal dimension). This dimensional transition allows the spring to achieve sufficient length and restoring force without increasing the width of the fixing member, thereby resolving the contradiction between force and area.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion is nested within the thickness range of the supporting portion of the housing. By utilizing the vertical space within the housing structure, the spring can achieve its required length and restoring force while remaining compact in the width direction, preventing enlargement of the fixing member.
2Force
If the spring length is increased by causing the spring part to protrude in the width direction, then the spring restoring force is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion extends in the plate thickness direction rather than the width direction. This dimensional reorientation allows the spring to achieve sufficient length and restoring force using the existing vertical space within the housing, eliminating the need for additional width and reducing material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion is nested within the thickness range of the supporting portion, utilizing existing vertical space within the housing structure. This nesting approach allows the spring to achieve required performance without adding extra material or increasing the overall footprint of the fixing member.
3Force
If the spring portion is arranged to extend in the width direction, then the spring restoring force is improved, but the fixing member size is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion is reoriented to extend in the plate thickness direction (vertical dimension) instead of the width direction (horizontal dimension). This dimensional change allows the spring to achieve sufficient length and restoring force while maintaining a compact width, thereby reducing the overall volume of the fixing member.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion is nested within the thickness range of the supporting portion of the housing. By utilizing the vertical space within the existing housing structure, the spring can achieve its required length and restoring force without increasing the width or overall volume of the fixing member.
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
The design reduces material cost and size of the fixing member by optimizing the spring portion's arrangement and manufacturing process, enhancing deflection and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deformable spring portion formed by bending a part protruding in a width direction
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing member 40 includes a housing mounting portion 60 to be mounted into a housing 20 and a board locking portion 70 projecting from the housing mounting portion 60 and to be locked to a circuit board 12. The board locking portion 70 includes a resiliently deformable spring portion 71 formed by bending a part protruding in a width direction intersecting a projecting direction from the housing mounting portion 60 and a board contact portion 71 disposed on a side closer to a tip than the spring portion 71 in a projecting direction of the board locking portion 70 and configured to contact the circuit board. The spring portion 71 is arranged inwardly in the width direction of both end parts on outer sides in the width direction of the housing mounting portion 60 in a developed state of the spring portion 71.