Connector Alignment Plate With Elastic Board Connection Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face challenges in positioning board connection portions while maintaining a reduced size, as deformation of alignment plates due to temperature changes causes stress on circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a terminal fitting with an elastically deformable board connection portion and an alignment plate with insertion holes, allowing the board connection portion to absorb pressing forces perpendicular to its axial direction, thus preventing stress on the circuit board and enabling closer spacing of insertion holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic pieces are provided around each positioning hole to prevent board connection portion deformation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the elastic function from separate components (elastic pieces around positioning holes) and integrates it into the board connection portion itself. The board connection portion is designed with an elastic section that can deform elastically, eliminating the need for additional elastic pieces and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the reliability of preventing deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the positioning function and the elastic deformation function into a single integrated structure. The board connection portion serves both as a positioning element (inserted into the positioning hole) and as an elastic component (with an elastic section that deforms to absorb stress), thereby reducing the number of parts and connector size.
2Reliability
If elastic pieces are provided around each positioning hole, then reliability is improved, but connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the separate elastic pieces from the connector structure and transfers the elastic function to the board connection portion itself. This extraction of the elastic function from auxiliary components reduces the overall connector size while maintaining the reliability of preventing board connection portion deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the positioning hole and the elastic board connection portion into a single integrated structure, the invention eliminates the need for additional space around positioning holes for elastic pieces, thereby reducing connector size while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If alignment plate deforms due to thermal expansion or contraction, then adaptability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to stress on the board
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of alignment plate deformation (which would normally cause stress on the board) into a beneficial effect. The elastic section of the board connection portion is designed to deform elastically in response to alignment plate movement, absorbing the stress and preventing it from being transmitted to the circuit board. Thus, the thermal expansion/contraction that would normally be harmful is now accommodated beneficially through elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the board connection portion from rigid to elastic in the radial direction, allowing it to deform and absorb stress from alignment plate thermal expansion or contraction, thereby converting a harmful effect into a manageable parameter change that protects the circuit board.
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 effectively reduces connector size by allowing the alignment plate to deform without applying stress to the circuit board, while maintaining stable positioning and reducing insertion resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a part of the board connection portion of the terminal fitting located within the insertion hole is configured as an elastic portion that is elastically deformable in a width direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the board connection portion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector 1 includes: a terminal fitting 11 including a mate connection portion 11A and a board connection portion 11B; a housing 10 through which the mate connection portion 11A is inserted and held; and an alignment plate 12 attached to the housing 10 and having an insertion hole 12D capable of positioning the board connection portion 11B. A part of the board connection portion 11B located within the insertion hole 12D is configured as an elastic portion 11D that is elastically deformable in a width direction perpendicular to an axial direction Ad of the board connection portion 11B.