Reinforcing Bracket Connector Layout for Terminal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing board-to-board connectors face issues with power source terminals being easily damaged due to external forces during mating and unmating, and adding protective guide portions to prevent this often leads to increased connector length and reduced strength.
Innovation Solution
A connector design incorporating reinforcing brackets with integrated protection and guide portions, featuring cutout regions to maintain terminal protection without elongating the connector, ensuring the terminals are positioned between guide portions to avoid damage while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guide portion is added to protect the contact portion closer to the central portion of the insulating body, then the contact portion is protected from damage by external forces, but the connector length increases and miniaturization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member integrates multiple functions: the guide portion guides the mating connector, the protection portion shields the contact portion from external forces, and the reinforcement portion strengthens the overall structure. By combining these functions into a single integrated component rather than separate parts, the design achieves contact portion protection without proportionally increasing connector length.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member extends in multiple directions from the insulating body - the guide portion extends in the longitudinal direction to guide mating, while the protection portion extends laterally to shield the contact portion. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows protection functionality to be added without simply elongating the connector in one direction.
2Ease of operation
If the contact portion is positioned on the end portion of the guide member for easy access, then mating operation is simplified, but the contact portion becomes vulnerable to damage from external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The protection portion is positioned to preemptively block external forces before they can reach the contact portion. By placing this protective structure between potential external threats and the contact portion, the design prevents damage before it occurs while allowing normal mating operations to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection portion acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the contact portion. It absorbs or deflects external forces, serving as a buffer that protects the vulnerable contact portion while not interfering with the intended mating operation between connectors.
3Reliability
If reinforcing structures are added to protect terminals and guide portions, then terminal protection and guide functionality are improved, but the overall connector strength may decrease due to material distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member features non-uniform thickness distribution with thicker regions (reinforcement portions) at critical locations such as where the guide portion connects to the insulating body, and thinner regions in less critical areas. This local quality variation provides enhanced protection where needed while maintaining overall connector strength and minimizing material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly combines different materials with complementary properties: the insulating body provides electrical isolation and structural support, the guide member (made of metal or rigid plastic) provides mechanical guidance and protection, and the reinforcement portions add localized strength. This composite structure achieves both terminal protection and overall connector strength.
Data Source
AI summary
The reinforcing bracket includes a pair of second terminals each of which is composed of a first extending portion extending from a position, which faces an intermediate region of a second guide portion and is on a lower end of an outer side surface of the second guide portion, toward a mating second guide portion, and a second extending portion extending from an end portion of the first extending portion toward a slit and a cutout portion. The cutout portion is formed on a position which does not interfere with corner portions of the protection portion and corner portions formed by the first guide portion and the second guide portions and accordingly, lower end sides of the corner portions of the protection portion and the corner portions formed by the first guide portion and the second guide portions are continuously connected to a bottom plate portion without any gaps.