Connector Terminal Coplanarity via Coplanar Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coplanarity of SMT terminals in angular-type electronic connectors is difficult to control due to accumulated assembly tolerances, leading to inconsistent soldering quality and reduced process yield in surface mount technology (SMT) processes.
Innovation Solution
A connector structure with improved terminal coplanarity is designed, featuring a housing with a coplanar track and terminal assemblies where the guider's grooves engage with flanges, ensuring that soldering ends are uniformly spaced from a coplanar datum surface, maintaining consistent terminal alignment and coplanarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If angular-type connector with individually mounted terminals is used, then adapter versatility is improved, but terminal coplanarity deteriorates due to accumulated assembly tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coplanar track as an intermediary component between the housing and terminals. This track provides a standardized mounting interface that mediates the assembly process, ensuring all terminals are positioned at the same height relative to the coplanar datum surface, thereby resolving the coplanarity issue while maintaining individual terminal mounting flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting parameter from direct individual terminal mounting to mounting via a standardized coplanar track interface. By establishing a common reference plane (coplanar datum surface) and uniform spacing requirements, the parameter control shifts to a more manageable level where coplanarity can be ensured through the track design rather than through strict control of each terminal's individual mounting position
2Manufacturing precision
If strict production demands are imposed on terminal configuration, then terminal coplanarity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coplanar track design enables self-service functionality where the track structure itself provides the coplanarity assurance through its geometric design. The track's coplanar datum surface and engagement features automatically ensure uniform terminal positioning without requiring external inspection or adjustment processes, thereby achieving high precision with reduced manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The coplanar track is pre-designed and pre-manufactured with built-in coplanarity features before terminal assembly. By establishing the coplanar reference plane and mounting geometry in advance, the track prepares the mounting environment so that subsequent terminal installations naturally achieve the required coplanarity without requiring strict real-time production control
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mounting layers are used in angular-type connector, then connector functionality is improved, but coplanarity control becomes uncontrollable due to tolerance accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting function by introducing a dedicated coplanar track component that handles the coplanarity assurance function separately from the terminal components themselves. This segmentation allows each mounting layer to reference the same coplanar datum surface through the track, preventing tolerance accumulation across multiple layers while maintaining the functionality of multi-layer construction
Data Source
AI summary
A connector structure with improved terminal coplanarity includes a housing and terminal assemblies. The housing has sockets and a coplanar track. The coplanar track is defined by two inner flanges of the housing. The two flanges extend longitudinally and parallel to each other. Each terminal assembly includes a connector body, terminals and a guider. The connector body is disposed inside the housing by the sockets. The terminals are disposed by penetrating through the connector body. The guider is disposed close to soldering ends of the terminals. The soldering end of each terminal protrudes out of the guider. The guider has two opposite grooves. Each groove is engaged with the corresponding flange. The coplanar track has a coplanar datum surface. Soldering portions of the soldering ends of the terminals protruding out of the guider are separated from the coplanar datum surface by the same distance.