Connector Holding Force via Elastic Pressing Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors require changes in overall design to achieve the necessary pressing force, leading to an increase in the number of parts and costs, especially when dealing with variations in terminal diameter.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a male terminal, a housing with a pressing member, and a female terminal with a cantilever-like contact segment that is elastically deformed to apply pressure to the male terminal, allowing for adjustable pressing force without increasing the number of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the overall design is changed to achieve the necessary pressing force, then the pressing force is improved, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust the pressing force applied to the contact segment. This dynamic characteristic enables the system to achieve the necessary holding force through elastic recovery rather than through rigid structural changes or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing force is controlled by changing the elastic deformation parameter of the pressing member. By adjusting the degree of elastic deformation, the system can achieve different pressing forces without modifying the overall design or adding parts, thus resolving the contradiction between force requirement and part quantity.
2Force
If the contact segment is elastically deformed to apply pressure, then the holding force is improved, but the complexity of the structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The female terminal is divided into a proximal portion and a contact segment, where the contact segment is designed with elastic deformation capability. This segmentation allows the pressing function to be localized to the contact segment rather than requiring the entire structure to be complex, achieving holding force through simple elastic deformation of a specific segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member utilizes its own elastic deformation to generate the pressing force, without requiring external power sources or complex actuation mechanisms. The elastic recovery of the pressing member itself provides the necessary holding force, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective force application.
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 design achieves an appropriate holding force while minimizing the workload during insertion and reducing the number of parts required, allowing for flexibility in accommodating different terminal diameters and contact loads.
Implementation Method 1
the pressing member holds the contact segment of the female terminal inserted into the housing portion between the pressing member and the male terminal, elastically deforms the contact segment, and presses the contact segment toward the male terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a male terminal, a housing having a housing portion that houses the male terminal, and a pressing member arranged in the housing portion. A female terminal having a proximal portion and a contact segment formed in a cantilever-like shape and extending from the proximal portion, is inserted into the housing portion. The pressing member holds the contact segment of the female terminal that is inserted into the housing portion between the pressing member and the male terminals, elastically deforms the contact segment, and presses the contact segment toward the male terminal.