Connector Hold-Down Structure for Housing Corner Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector assemblies face challenges in enhancing the mechanical strength, particularly due to the limitations in the shape of the plug hold-down which cannot effectively cover parts of the plug housing near the carrier cutting planes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed connector assembly incorporates a plug hold-down with a corner drawn part and carrier cutting planes, where the corner drawn part covers the corner part of the plug housing, enhancing mechanical strength and press workability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the plug hold-down is designed with carrier cutting planes on the outside of the plug housing, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the mechanical strength of the connector assembly deteriorates due to inability to cover corner parts of the plug housing
Solution Approach 1:
The plug hold-down is extended in the width direction (perpendicular to the pitch direction) to include corner drawn parts that cover the corner parts of the plug housing. This dimensional extension allows the hold-down to provide mechanical strength at critical corners while maintaining the carrier cutting planes for simplified manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug hold-down features localized corner drawn parts at specific corner positions rather than uniformly extending the entire structure. This local quality approach provides targeted reinforcement where mechanical strength is most needed while keeping the overall design simple and manufacturable.
2Ease of manufacture
If the plug hold-down shape is restricted by carrier cutting planes, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the guiding capability during mating deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Corner drawn parts are added in the width direction to provide guiding surfaces that extend beyond the limitations imposed by carrier cutting planes. These additional dimensional elements enable proper guiding capability during connector mating while preserving the simplified manufacturing approach.
3Ease of manufacture
If the plug hold-down does not cover corner parts of the plug housing, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the mechanical strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Corner drawn parts are strategically positioned at corner locations to provide localized reinforcement and coverage. This local quality enhancement ensures mechanical strength and reliability at critical stress points without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug hold-down structure is extended in the width direction to reach and cover corner parts of the plug housing. This dimensional extension ensures proper coverage and mechanical strength at corners while maintaining compatibility with the simplified manufacturing process using carrier cutting planes.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique for improving the mechanical strength of a connector assembly. A connector assembly according to the present disclosure includes a plug connector including a plurality of plug contacts, a plug housing that holds the plurality of plug contacts, and a plug hold-down mounted on the outside of the plurality of plug contacts in the plug housing, and a receptacle connector including a plurality of receptacle contacts and a receptacle housing that holds the plurality of receptacle contacts. Each of the plug contacts and each of the receptacle contacts come into electrical contact by mating the plug connector and the receptacle connector with each other in a mating direction.