Canted Coil Spring Electrical Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies can be bulky and lack robustness, which is a drawback for applications in various electronic devices requiring reliable and compact connections.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly comprising a housing, a pin with a tapered insertion end, and canted coil springs with free ends that are positioned in recessed slots within the housing or pin, allowing for secure mechanical and electrical connection while maintaining a compact profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrical connector assemblies are used, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the connector becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional components: a housing, a pin, and a spring mechanism. Each component is optimized independently for its specific function, allowing the overall assembly to achieve reliable electrical connection while minimizing total volume through efficient spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is positioned within a recessed slot in the housing, and the pin passes through the spring to make electrical contact. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, reducing the overall connector size while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the spring-loaded contact mechanism.
2Volume of moving object
If compact connector design is implemented, then reduced bulkiness is achieved, but mechanical robustness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded within the recessed slot to provide continuous contact pressure on the pin before any external forces are applied. This preliminary mechanical action ensures that the compact connector maintains robust electrical connection under varying mechanical conditions, compensating for the reduced size through pre-established mechanical tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides dynamic adaptation to mechanical stresses and misalignments. The spring can compress and extend to accommodate thermal expansion, vibration, and insertion forces, maintaining mechanical robustness in the compact design through elastic deformation rather than rigid structural support.
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 solution provides a robust and compact electrical connection that is suitable for diverse electronic applications, ensuring reliable communication and power transmission without the bulkiness of traditional connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a spring length with two free ends that are not connected to one another and that contact the pin and the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Connector assemblies having a housing, a pin, and a spring length having two free ends are used as a mechanical connector to secure two objects or components together or an electrical connector for placing two sources in electrical communication with one another. The spring length can be a canted coil spring in which the two free ends are not connected to one another and the coils can have an elliptical shape or a complex coil shape. The spring length can be used with a retaining component, can be used in a recessed slot formed with the housing or the pin, or both with a retaining component and with a recessed slot.