Low Profile Electrical Connector With Curved Retention Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors with oblique contacting and retention sections in different planes are not suitable for low profile configurations, lacking sufficient resiliency and retention.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring an insulative housing with conductive contacts having a first body, a resilient arm, a soldering section, and a second body with retention sections, linked via a curved connection section, and a housing with a receiving cavity and retention slot, allowing for three-dimensional interference and enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contacting section and retention section are located in different planes oblique to each other, then the connector achieves retention and contact functionality, but the profile height increases making it unsuitable for low profile applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration where the contacting section and retention section are positioned at different heights along the vertical axis. The contacting section extends horizontally for electrical contact, while the retention section extends vertically downward for retention, utilizing the third dimension (height) to resolve the spatial conflict between contact and retention functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact member is divided into distinct functional sections: a contacting section for electrical contact, a retention section for retention, and a connection section linking them. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while being integrated into a single component, enabling the low profile configuration through strategic positioning of each segment.
2Reliability
If the connection section is positioned farther from the soldering section, then the resilient arm has greater deflection capability, but the overall length and profile of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection section is designed as a resilient structure with curved geometry that provides flexibility and deflection capability. This flexible connection allows the contacting section to deflect independently for reliable contact while maintaining a compact overall length, as the resilience is achieved through material properties and geometric design rather than increased length.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection section incorporates curved geometry instead of straight linear transitions. This curvature provides mechanical advantage for resilience, allowing the structure to bend and deflect more effectively within a shorter length, thereby maintaining deflection capability while reducing the overall connector length and profile.
3Reliability
If external barbs are added to enhance retention, then retention reliability improves, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member is designed with an integrated retention section that provides retention functionality inherently, eliminating the need for separate external barbs or additional retention components. The retention section works in conjunction with the receiving cavity and retention slot to achieve reliable retention through the design of the contact member itself, simplifying both structure and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The contacting function and retention function are merged into a single integrated contact member rather than requiring separate components. The contact member simultaneously provides electrical contact through its contacting section and retention through its retention section, reducing the number of parts and simplifying assembly while maintaining reliable retention.
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
The design achieves a low profile configuration with reliable retention and sufficient resiliency, enabling efficient contact with CPUs and printed circuit boards while reducing the need for external barbs, thus simplifying assembly and enhancing stability.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient arm (111) extending upwardly and obliquely from an upper side of the first body
Implementation Method 2
The first body (11) and the second body (12) are linked with each other via a curved connection section (13) which is closer to the soldering section so as to have the upper portion of the first body deflectable
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of conductive contacts retained in the insulative housing, each contact has a first body, a resilient arm extending upwardly and obliquely from an upper side of the first body, a soldering section extending downwardly from a lower side of the first body, and a second body extending from a lateral side of the first body in an oblique direction and having a retention section formed on an outer lateral side thereof opposite to the first body. The housing forms a receiving cavity for receiving both the first body and the second body, and a retention slot for receiving the retention section.