Electrical Connector Coupling Structure for Controlled Housing Motion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connector combinations lack a mechanism to restrict the motion of movable housings, leading to excessive deformation and load on terminals, which can result in instability and potential failure.

Innovation Solution

The electrical connector combination features a coupling member with groove portions that restrict the motion of movable housings by accommodating press-fit and restricted portions, preventing excessive movement and deformation of terminals, while maintaining the size and functionality of the connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the movable housing is allowed to move freely relative to the stationary housing through terminal deformation, then the connector can accommodate misalignment and assembly variations, but the terminal deformation becomes excessive and the load on terminals increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion accommodation capabilityVSAvoidterminal load capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A coupling member is introduced as an intermediary component between multiple connectors. This coupling member includes groove portions that guide and restrict the motion of movable housings, preventing excessive terminal deformation while still allowing controlled movement to accommodate misalignment. The coupling member mediates between the need for motion accommodation and the need to protect terminals from excessive load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the motion parameters of the movable housing by introducing geometric constraints through groove portions. The groove geometry defines specific motion paths and limits displacement magnitude, transforming the unrestricted deformation mode into a controlled motion mode that protects terminals while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the coupling member includes groove portions that restrict movable housing motion, then terminal deformation is reduced and load is alleviated, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal load capacityVSAvoidcoupling member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it couples multiple connectors together, provides motion guidance through groove portions, restricts movable housing displacement, and protects terminals from excessive load. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the invention reduces overall device complexity while achieving the desired terminal protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the groove portions are sealed on the opposite side from the circuit board, then the movable housing motion is effectively restricted, but the manufacturing process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovable housing position stabilityVSAvoidcoupling member fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member appears to be formed as a thin-walled structure with sealed groove portions. This thin-film-like construction allows the grooves to be sealed effectively while maintaining manufacturability through standard forming processes. The sealed structure provides stable motion restriction without requiring complex multi-step fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively restricts the motion of movable housings within a safe range, reducing terminal deformation and load, thereby enhancing the stability and longevity of the connector combination.

Implementation Method 1

a floating portion which is located between the stationary-side retained portion and the movable-side retained portion and is capable of resilient deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the stationary housing, in the end portions located in the terminal array direction, has press-fit portions press-fittingly retained in the groove portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPress-fit connection: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS20240380145A1Electrical connector combination

Publication Date: 2024.11.14 HIROSE ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

The coupling member 70 has coupling portions 71 extending in the connector array direction along the end portions of the housings located in the terminal array direction; the coupling portions 71 have formed therein groove portions 72A which, along with being open on the circuit board side in the direction of connection, are sealed on the opposite side from the circuit board; the stationary housing, in the end portions located in the terminal array direction, has press-fit portions 122, 322, 522 press-fittingly retained in the groove portions 72A; the movable housing, in the end portions located in the terminal array direction, has restricted portions 132, 232, 532 accommodated in the groove portions 72A; and the restricted portions 132, 232, 532 are positioned spaced by a gap from the inner edges of the groove portions 72A in the terminal array direction and in the direction of connection.