Miniaturized Electrical Connector With Elastic Fixture Power Source
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in miniaturization while maintaining strength and connection stability, as thinning for space-saving and reduced profile height compromises strength, and previous solutions either hinder miniaturization or fail to utilize fixtures effectively as a power source.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a plug connector and receptacle connector with integral forming, featuring recesses, chamfered portions, and elastic fixtures that allow for stable connection and power usage, with the plug contacts held on a block and receptacle contacts with bent elastic portions, ensuring both miniaturization and strength through specific geometric arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector is thinned to achieve miniaturization and reduced profile height, then the substrate footprint and profile height are reduced, but the strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple contact portions (first contact portion, second contact portion, third contact portion) along the thickness direction. Each contact portion can be independently optimized for different functions: the first contact portion provides electrical connection, the second contact portion provides mechanical support and strength, and the third contact portion enables stable fitting. This segmentation allows the connector to maintain strength while achieving miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the thickness direction (third dimension) to arrange multiple contact portions vertically. By distributing contact portions along the thickness direction rather than increasing width or length, the connector achieves miniaturization in the planar direction while maintaining sufficient strength through the vertical arrangement of multiple contact portions with different thicknesses.
2Reliability
If fixtures are arranged at both ends in the longitudinal pitch direction to provide stable connection, then connection stability is improved, but miniaturization in the longitudinal pitch direction is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging fixtures only at the longitudinal ends, the invention places a fixture at the central position in the longitudinal pitch direction. This central fixture arrangement, combined with the vertical segmentation of contact portions, provides stable connection without increasing the longitudinal pitch direction length, enabling miniaturization while maintaining connection stability.
3Ease of operation
If the contact portion is made vertically upright to allow movement, then connection flexibility is improved, but miniaturization in the width direction is prevented due to increased thickness requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The contact structure is segmented into multiple contact portions with different orientations. The second contact portion is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal pitch direction, providing movement flexibility in one direction, while the first and third contact portions are arranged in the thickness direction to provide stability. This segmentation allows the connector to maintain flexibility without increasing width direction area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the conflict between movement flexibility and miniaturization by utilizing the thickness direction for the primary contact portions while arranging the second contact portion perpendicular to the longitudinal pitch direction. This three-dimensional arrangement provides the necessary movement flexibility without increasing the width direction footprint, enabling miniaturization.
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 achieves miniaturization with maintained strength and connection stability, enabling the use of elastic fixtures as a power source and providing a stable fitting experience.
Implementation Method 1
the receptacle contact further includes an elastic portion which is bent at least once between the contact portion and the connection portion
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector is miniaturized and reduced in profile height, yet maintains strength and connection stability, uses elastic fixtures as a power source and provides stable fitting. When connectors are fitted with each other, a first contact of an elastic first fixture is brought to contact a second contact of a second fixture to be used as a power source. An inclined portion of a receptacle contact and an inclined portion of an insertion hole of a housing are formed roughly in the same shape to adjust support of the receptacle contact and provide stable connection. A first chamfered portion of the receptacle contact engages a recess of a plug contact to produce a clicking feeling. The first chamfered portions are positioned and brought to contact the recesses so the plug contact is held between a contact portion and an elastic portion of the receptacle contact.