Connector With Elastic Bending Portion For Torque Misalignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors mounted on a board face issues with misalignment of contacts during screw tightening, leading to potential damage of the contact ends when inserted in through-holes, as torque application can misalign the contact with the signal pattern and damage the contact against the through-hole's inner surface.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a contact with a bending portion and a movable hold portion, where the bending portion is elastically deformable to absorb torque forces, preventing damage by allowing the board connection portion to move relative to the fixing portion within a predetermined range, ensuring secure alignment and connection without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the connector is fixed to the board by tightening screws in the fixing holes, then the connector is securely mounted on the board, but torque around the fixing holes acts on the connector causing the contact to be misaligned with the signal pattern of the board
Solution Approach 1:
The contact is divided into multiple functional portions: a contact portion, a fixing portion, and a board connection portion. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, with the fixing portion serving as a pivot point that isolates the contact portion from torque during screw tightening, thereby maintaining alignment precision while ensuring secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing portion acts as an intermediary element between the contact portion and the board connection portion. It is fixed to the insulator and serves as a stable reference point that prevents the contact portion from rotating or misaligning during the screw tightening process, while still allowing the board connection portion to be inserted into the through-hole.
2Reliability
If the end portion of the contact is inserted into a through-hole in the board and connected through soldering, then electrical connection is established, but the connector receiving torque during screw rotation presses the end portion of the contact against the inner surface of the through-hole causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bending portion serves as a flexible intermediary between the fixing portion and the board connection portion. It is elastically deformable and can absorb the harmful forces generated during screw tightening, preventing these forces from being transmitted to the board connection portion that is inserted in the through-hole, thereby protecting it from damage while maintaining electrical connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending portion is designed with elastic deformability, changing its physical state from rigid to flexible in the region between the fixing portion and the board connection portion. This parameter change allows it to absorb mechanical stress and protect the board connection portion from damage during the screw tightening process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If two screws are used to fix the connector, then mounting stability is improved, but the end portion of the contact may be damaged during the screwing of the first screw before alignment can be corrected by the second screw
Solution Approach 1:
The bending portion is pre-designed to be elastically deformable, providing beforehand cushioning protection for the board connection portion. When the first screw is tightened and generates torque, the bending portion absorbs the harmful forces before they can reach the board connection portion, preventing damage from occurring even before the second screw is installed to correct alignment.
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 connector effectively maintains contact alignment and prevents damage during screw tightening, ensuring reliable electrical connection to the board's signal pattern without compromising the contact's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a bending portion that is disposed between the fixing portion and the board connection portion and is elastically deformable so as to bend with respect to a fitting direction
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a contact, an insulator that holds the contact, and a conductive shell that surrounds and holds the insulator, the contact having a contact portion that is disposed in a counter-connector accommodation portion of the conductive shell, a board connection portion that is to be inserted in a through-hole in a board and connected to a signal pattern of the board, a fixing portion that is disposed between the contact portion and the board connection portion and is fixed to the insulator, a bending portion that is disposed between the fixing portion and the board connection portion and is elastically deformable so as to bend with respect to a fitting direction, and a movable hold portion that is disposed between the bending portion and the board connection portion and is held by the insulator so as to be movable within a predetermined range.