Connector Contact Assembly for Concentricity and Rotational Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connectors face challenges in controlling concentricity due to downsizing and structural complexity, leading to inconsistent positioning and potential misalignment of components.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a contact with protruding, protrusion, and overhanging parts, along with a guide groove and press-fitting mechanism, where specific insertion distances ensure controlled assembly order to achieve accurate concentricity by first controlling rotation, then concentricity, and finally fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If connectors are downsized and structurally complicated to improve functionality, then connector functionality is enhanced, but concentricity control becomes difficult leading to positioning inconsistency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector functionalityVSAvoidconcentricity control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove is designed to guide the protruding part of the contact during insertion, establishing the rotational position before the press-fitting occurs. This preliminary guidance action ensures that subsequent press-fitting maintains the correct concentricity, solving the problem of positioning inconsistency in downsized connectors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If positioning is performed by positioning piece and positioning piece housing recession, then positioning function is provided, but concentricity is not adequately controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning functionVSAvoidconcentricity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: the guide groove handles rotational positioning while the press-fitting protrusion handles concentricity control. This segmentation allows each mechanism to specialize in its function, with the press-fitting protrusion specifically designed to control the radial position and concentricity of the contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If housing press-fitting protrusion is used for positioning and holding, then holding function is achieved, but required concentricity cannot be secured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding functionVSAvoidconcentricity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove performs the preliminary action of guiding the protruding part to the correct rotational position during insertion. This preliminary guidance ensures that when the press-fitting protrusion engages, the contact is already properly oriented, allowing the press-fitting to effectively control concentricity rather than just providing holding force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The holding function is segmented from the positioning function. The guide groove provides rotational positioning while the press-fitting protrusion provides both holding and concentricity control. This segmentation allows the press-fitting protrusion to be specifically designed with dimensions that ensure required concentricity while maintaining the holding function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3654456B1connector
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 HOSIDEN CORP
  • EP3654456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3654456B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3654456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connector includes a body and a contact that is inserted into the body. The contact includes a protruding part that is protruded in a direction orthogonal to an insertion direction of the contact, a protrusion that is provided on an outer periphery of the contact, and an overhanging part that overhangs in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction. The body includes, on an inner surface thereof, a guide groove that is fitted with the protruding part and is extended in the insertion direction, a housing part that has an internal dimension for press-fitting the contact, which includes the protrusion, thereto, and a press-fitting part that has an internal dimension for press-fitting the contact, which includes the overhanging part, thereto. An insertion distance A of the protruding part from a position, on which the protruding part starts to fit in the guide groove, to a terminal position, an insertion distance B of the protrusion from a position, on which press-fit of the protrusion is started, to a terminal position, and an insertion distance C of the overhanging part from a position, on which press-fit of the overhanging part is started, to a terminal position satisfy a relation A>B>C.