Connector Terminal Catch Spring Reinforcement for Vibration Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The strength of the catch spring structure in existing connector terminals is low, leading to instability in electrical connections under vibration and complex environments, affecting reliability and stability.
Innovation Solution
A connector terminal with a catch spring reinforcement structure that supports the fixing section, enhancing structural strength and preventing bending failures or fractures, and includes an abutting section that abuts against a stop portion in the housing to prevent movement, thereby improving electrical connection reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the catch spring structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but structural strength deteriorates leading to bending failures or fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The catch spring is divided into distinct functional sections: a fixing section for mounting, an abutting section for contacting the stop portion, and a reinforcement structure. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the reinforcement structure can be designed with sufficient strength while keeping the overall structure manufacturable through standard processes
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement structure is strategically positioned only where needed - at the fixing section of the catch spring - rather than uniformly throughout the entire component. This localized reinforcement provides necessary strength at critical stress points while minimizing additional material and manufacturing complexity in non-critical areas
2Device complexity
If the catch spring structure is simplified to reduce device complexity, then manufacturing and assembly are easier, but reliability deteriorates under vibration and complex environments
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure is built into the catch spring during manufacturing, providing pre-established structural support before the connector is assembled or subjected to vibration. This preliminary strengthening prevents deformation and failure under subsequent mechanical stress without requiring additional components or complex assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement structure extends in the width direction of the connector terminal, adding dimensional stability perpendicular to the main length direction. This dimensional reinforcement prevents lateral deformation of the catch spring under vibration while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that doesn't significantly increase device complexity
3Loss of substance
If the fixing section of the catch spring is made thinner to reduce material usage, then loss of substance is reduced, but strength deteriorates causing bending failures or fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure is applied locally to the fixing section rather than increasing the thickness of the entire catch spring. This localized thickening provides necessary strength at the critical fixing section while keeping other portions of the catch spring thin, thereby minimizing overall material usage while preventing bending failures at the reinforcement location
Data Source
AI summary
A connector terminal, comprising an insertion-mating part, a catch spring and a catch spring reinforcement structure, the catch spring being arranged on the outer surface of the insertion-mating part, the catch spring comprising a fixing section and an abutting section, one end of the abutting section being connected to the fixing section, the other end of the abutting section being a free end, and the fixing section being connected to the insertion-mating part. In the width direction of the connector terminal, at least one side of the fixing section is connected to the catch spring reinforcement structure, and the abutting section is gradually far away from the insertion-mating part in the extending direction from the fixing section to the free end of the abutting section. In addition, further disclosed in the present application is an electrical connector comprising the above connector terminal.