Board Connector Contact Layout for Even Insertion Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric connectors experience uneven insertion and extraction forces in the arrangement direction of contacts, affecting the reliability and efficiency of electrical connections between boards.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a plug connector with signal and power contacts arranged alternately and symmetrically, along with a receptacle connector featuring a housing with curved elastic portions, which provides a stable and balanced fitting mechanism to reduce uneven forces during insertion and extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contacts are arranged in a conventional configuration, then the connector structure is simple, but the insertion and extraction forces are uneven in the arrangement direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of insertion and extraction forcesVSAvoidcontact arrangement symmetry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by arranging contacts with different types (signal and power) in an alternating pattern along the arrangement direction, creating a symmetric distribution about the center line. This alternating arrangement of different contact types achieves uniform force distribution while maintaining structural symmetry in the overall layout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The contact arrangement is segmented into alternating signal and power contacts along the arrangement direction. This segmentation creates a balanced distribution where forces are evenly distributed across the connector during insertion and extraction, preventing uneven loading on any single contact type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If signal contacts and power contacts are arranged alternately and symmetrically, then insertion and extraction forces become more even, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting stabilityVSAvoidcontact arrangement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the arrangement patterns of signal and power contacts into a single alternating sequence along the arrangement direction. This unified alternating pattern simplifies the manufacturing process by providing a clear, repeatable arrangement rule that ensures both contact types are evenly distributed, reducing positioning complexity compared to separate arrangement schemes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the fitting portion protrudes further from the board, then the fitting depth in the receptacle connector increases, but the overall connector height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting depthVSAvoidconnector height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the height issue by optimizing the lateral distribution and angular orientation of the fitting portion relative to the board surface. By controlling the projection angle and lateral spread of the fitting portion, the design achieves adequate fitting depth while minimizing the vertical height increase, effectively managing the trade-off through spatial optimization in multiple dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration ensures more even insertion and extraction forces, enhancing the reliability and stability of electrical connections between boards by balancing the mounting strength and facilitating a stable contact.

Implementation Method 1

The signal contacts and the power contacts each include at least one curved elastic portion between the contact portion and the connection portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11837811B2Plug connector, receptacle connector, and electric connector

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 FUJIKURA LTD

AI summary

A plug connector mounted on a board and that mates with a receptacle connector includes at least three signal contacts and two power contacts each including a contact portion that contacts the receptacle connector and a block that holds the signal contacts and the power contacts. The block includes a body and a fitting portion that protrudes away from the body and is inserted into a fitting port of the receptacle connector, and the signal contacts and the power contacts are disposed alternately in a row along an arrangement direction and symmetrically about a line that passes through a center position of the plug connector and is orthogonal to the arrangement direction when viewed from a fitting direction to the receptacle connector.