Conductive Contact Element Structure for Low-Loss Multi-Point Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conductive contact elements in high-speed differential data transmission systems experience insertion loss due to the upward curvature of the male upper bending segment, leading to short pile radiation effects and potential damage during insertion.

Innovation Solution

The conductive contact element is designed with a contact segment parallel to the base body, eliminating the need for a guiding structure and reducing the space occupied in the direction perpendicular to insertion, thereby minimizing insertion loss and avoiding contact element damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a male upper bending segment with upward curvature is used to achieve guiding effect during insertion, then the end portions of contact elements are protected from butting damage, but short pile radiation effect occurs causing greater insertion loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from butting damageVSAvoidinsertion loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the male upper bending segment that causes upward curvature and short pile radiation effect. By extracting this problematic component, the design eliminates the source of insertion loss while maintaining protection against butting damage through alternative structural arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using upward curvature to achieve guiding effect, the patent inverts the approach by using a parallel configuration where the contact segment extends parallel to the base body. This reversal of the curvature concept eliminates the radiation effect while still providing proper insertion guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a guiding structure is added to avoid butting damage during insertion, then contact element protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from butting damageVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the guiding function and protective function into the basic contact element structure itself. The contact segment and base body configuration inherently provides both insertion guidance and protection against butting damage, eliminating the need for separate guiding structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact element structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the parallel configuration of the contact segment provides both guiding effect during insertion and protection against butting damage, making the structure multi-functional and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the contact segment is configured parallel to the base body, then space occupied in the direction perpendicular to insertion is reduced, but guiding effect during insertion must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector volumeVSAvoidinsertion guidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from using vertical curvature (upward bending) for guidance to using horizontal parallel extension for guidance. By changing the dimension of the guiding effect from vertical to horizontal, the design reduces space in the perpendicular direction while maintaining effective insertion guidance through the extended parallel contact segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3451461B1Conductive contact element and electrical connector using the same
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 CHINA AVIATION OPTICAL ELECTRICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP3451461B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3451461B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP3451461B1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

A conductive contact element and an electrical connector using the conductive contact element are provided. The conductive contact element has a front contact portion (140) and a rear contact portion spaced apart from each other at front and rear and respectively in conductive contact with a suitable conductive contact element. The front contact portion and the rear contact portion have an insertion space in an up-down direction for the suitable conductive contact element to be inserted therein. The conductive contact element has a simple structure, capable of achieving multi-point contact, and eliminates the short pile radiation effect while reducing insertion loss.