Circular Connector Contact Assembly with Central PCB Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact arrangements for connecting peripheral devices, such as sensors, in sensitive areas like the food industry face challenges due to complex and costly production processes, limited number of contacts in circular connectors, and eccentric arrangement of printed circuit boards, which affect reliability and tightness.
Innovation Solution
A method and contact arrangement using an insulating support body with metal pins and small metal plates for connection to a printed circuit board, where the pin is inserted into the support body and connected to the metal plate, allowing a straightforward and cost-effective production process, avoiding complex bending and forming, and enabling easy center alignment of the circuit board within circular connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pins are formed from flat metal carrier by bending and forming processes, then contact arrangement can be produced, but production becomes complex and cost-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming pins from flat metal carriers through complex bending and forming processes, the patent inverts the approach by using pins with straight courses that are inserted into the insulating support body in their original straight form. This eliminates the need for bending and forming operations, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
2Productivity
If pins are arranged in a central row-like configuration, then contact arrangement can be assembled, but the number of possible contacts in circular connector housing is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional row-like arrangement of pins to a two-dimensional distributed arrangement within the circular connector housing. Pins are positioned in multiple directions around the central circuit board,充分利用 the available space and enabling a significantly higher number of contacts without increasing structural complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If printed circuit board is arranged eccentrically, then space in round connector housing can be utilized, but limited space availability becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the printed circuit board within the circular connector housing, placing it at the center while allowing pins to be distributed asymmetrically around it. This central positioning of the circuit board optimizes space utilization and simplifies the overall arrangement, enabling efficient use of the circular housing space.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The method involves connecting a support unit (20) with another support unit, and introducing a pin (50) into a support body (60). The pin is connected with metal plates. Separation of the connected support units is performed after the connection of the pin with the metal plates. A printed circuit board (80) is connected with the metal plates, so that the pin comprises an electrical connection with a contact surface (82). The metal plates are extracted from the support units according to the connection of the metal plates with the pin, where the metal plates comprise an opening. An independent claim is also included for a contact arrangement comprising an insulating support body.