Connector Assistant Fitting Elastic Fixing Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire-to-board connectors are prone to damage when wires are lifted up due to insufficient strength in the mounting assistant fitting.

Innovation Solution

The connector design includes a cantilever-shaped fixing portion that is elastically displaceable and supported by a held portion, with displacement regulating elements to prevent excessive deformation, and a leg portion soldered to the board for enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the mounting assistant fitting is made simple in structure, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength and damage resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstrength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting assistant fitting is divided into multiple functional portions: a held portion attached to the receptacle housing, a fixing portion that engages with the plug connector, and a displacement regulating portion that controls elastic deformation. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing portion is designed with elastic displacement capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust during the locking process. The displacement regulating portion controls this elasticity to prevent excessive deformation, combining flexibility with strength protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the fixing portion is made elastically displaceable to accommodate wire movement, then the reliability is improved, but the displacement control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing portion is designed to elastically displace in response to wire movement, maintaining reliable engagement. The displacement regulating portion provides passive geometric constraints that automatically limit displacement without requiring active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic displacement and regulation features are integrated into the mounting assistant fitting itself, allowing it to self-adjust and self-regulate during operation without requiring external control systems or additional complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This design effectively prevents damage to the assistant fittings by regulating displacement and maintaining the locked state even when wires are raised, while allowing intentional release.

Implementation Method 1

the fixing portion is formed to be elastically displaceable in a direction approaching the held portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the assistant fitting includes a leg portion that is soldered to the connector mounting surface of the board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Data Source

PatentEP2876743B1Connector between cable and substrate
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS IND LTD
  • EP2876743B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2876743B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2876743B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A receptacle connector (3) includes a receptacle contact (7) corresponding to a plug contact (4), a receptacle housing (8) that holds the receptacle contact (7), and an assistant fitting (9) attached to the receptacle housing (8), and is mounted on a connector mounting surface (10a) of a circuit board (10). The assistant fitting (9) includes at least a held portion (30), a fixing portion (31), and a vertical displacement regulating portion (42). The held portion (30) is a portion that is held by the receptacle housing (8). The fixing portion (31) is a portion that is hooked to the plug housing (5) to thereby fix the plug connector (2) to the receptacle connector (3). The vertical displacement regulating portion (42) is a portion that regulates a displacement of the fixing portion (31) in a direction away from the connector mounting surface (10a) of the circuit board (10).