Connector Clicking Feeling Degradation via Spring Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector units experience a decline in the clicking feeling sensation due to wear and tear from repeated fitting and removal of connectors, leading to a poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
The connector unit incorporates a first and second connector with spring portions that utilize a pressing mechanism to maintain a clicking sensation by releasing pressure against a restoring force, allowing the spring portion to move away from the object, thus generating a tactile feedback even after wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If metal contacts with engaging step portions and engaging protruding portions are used, then a clicking feeling is generated during connector fitting, but the clicking feeling deteriorates due to wear from repeated fitting and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a spring portion that can dynamically change its state between compressed and released. The spring portion is compressed during connector insertion to provide a strong clicking feeling, then releases to maintain this sensation over repeated operations. This dynamic mechanical response allows the connector to generate a consistent clicking feeling without the wear problems of rigid metal-to-metal engaging structures.
2Ease of operation
If a spring mechanism is introduced to maintain clicking feeling, then tactile feedback is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring portion with the contact portion into a single integrated component. The spring portion is configured to be compressed along with the contact portion during connector insertion, combining the elastic deformation function with the electrical contact function. This merging approach provides tactile feedback while avoiding the complexity of separate spring and contact components, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 suppresses the degradation of the clicking feeling over repeated use by utilizing a spring mechanism that provides tactile feedback through the release of pressure and return motion, ensuring a consistent user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the first spring portion includes a pressed portion that is pressed by the pressing portion when the fitting of the first and second connectors to each other is started
Data Source
AI summary
A connector unit which is capable of suppressing lowering of a clicking feeling, even if the fitting and removing of connectors to and from each other is repeated. A spring portion that receives a contact portion of each of plug contacts of a plug connector when a receptacle connector and the plug connector are fitted to each other is formed on each of receptacle contacts of the receptacle connector. A protrusion is formed on the contact portion of each plug contact. The spring portion is formed to have an auxiliary contact portion that is urged by the protrusion when both of the connectors are fitted to each other, and a recess that receives the protrusion when the both of the connectors are fitted to each other.