Connector Assembly Bracket Structure for Secure Mating Under Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional board-to-board connectors face issues with damage or breakage during mating operations due to the difficulty in visually aligning mating surfaces, especially with miniaturization, and insufficient flexibility in reinforcing brackets leading to unreliable electrical connections under vibrations and shocks.
Innovation Solution
The connector design includes a housing with mating guide parts and reinforcing brackets featuring flexible connection arms and contact projections that are elastically displaceable, ensuring secure mating without damage and maintaining electrical contact through integrated design and materials like synthetic resin and conductive metal plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector is miniaturized to reduce size, then the compactness and integration are improved, but the mating surface becomes difficult to visually recognize and align, increasing the risk of damage during mating operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by providing visual indicators (such as colored markings or contrasting colors) on the mating surfaces of the connector housing. This allows operators to easily recognize and align the mating surfaces even when the connector is miniaturized, preventing misalignment and potential damage during mating operations.
2Volume of moving object
If the operator feels about with hands to perform mating operation due to miniaturization, then the connector size is reduced, but the mating surface may receive large pressing force and become damaged or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates cushioning elements or protective structures on the mating surfaces before actual contact occurs. These elements absorb or distribute the pressing force during alignment operations, preventing concentrated loads that could damage the thin-walled miniaturized housing structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the reinforcing bracket is made rigid to provide structural support, then the structural stability is improved, but the flexibility under vibrations and shocks is reduced, leading to unreliable electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the reinforcing bracket by incorporating flexible materials or elastic elements that allow the bracket to maintain its structural support function while adapting to vibrations and shocks. This ensures continuous electrical contact between the bracket and mating surfaces under dynamic conditions.
4Volume of moving object
If the thickness of each part of the housing is reduced for miniaturization, then the connector size is reduced, but the part is easily damaged when subjected to strong force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials or multi-layer construction for the housing that combine thin walls with high-strength characteristics. This allows the connector to be miniaturized while maintaining sufficient strength to resist damage during mating operations and under external forces.
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 enhances the reliability of the connector by preventing damage during mating and ensuring consistent electrical communication, even under external forces and vibrations, by providing a robust and flexible connection mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
contact projections that are elastically displaceable
Data Source
AI summary
A connector body includes mating guide parts having mating recesses into which counterpart mating guide parts are inserted, the reinforcing bracket includes a body part attached to end wall parts of the mating guide parts, and a pair of left and right connection arms connected to both ends of the body part, the connection arms extending to the longitudinal center of the connector body and being attached to side wall parts of the mating guide parts, the connection arm includes a side plate part and a side wall upper cover part connected to an upper end of the side plate part, at least a part of the outside of the side plate part is covered with an outside part of the side wall part, and the side wall upper cover part is curved such that a tip faces the mating recess and covers at least a part of the upper surface of the inside part of the side wall part.