Connector Height Reduction via End Face Connection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacking type connectors face challenges in reducing their height due to the necessity of inner side surface portions for forming protruding portions, which limits their size reduction in the height direction.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with terminals and additional members, each with a connection mechanism including a spring portion and a plate piece portion, where the connection portion is located on the end face of the plate piece portion, allowing for reduced height without a flat surface around the connection portion, enabling a more compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protruding portions are formed by cutting process and pressing process on inner side surface portion, then electrical connection and mating lock are realized, but the size in height direction cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion is repositioned from the inner side surface (vertical dimension) to the end face (horizontal dimension), changing the dimensional orientation of the connection interface. This allows the protruding portion to be formed on the end face without requiring additional vertical space, thereby reducing the overall height while maintaining connection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of forming the connection portion on the inner side surface as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the approach by forming it on the end face of the plate piece portion. This inversion of the connection interface location enables height reduction while preserving the essential electrical connection and mating lock functions
2Ease of manufacture
If inner side surface portion is provided around protruding portion, then protruding portion can be formed by cutting and pressing process, but height reduction becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is adapted to form the protruding portion on the end face rather than the inner side surface. The cutting and pressing processes are applied to the end face of the plate piece portion, transitioning the manufacturing location to a different dimension that does not consume vertical space
Solution Approach 2:
The additional member is segmented into distinct portions: the plate piece portion with the end face and the spring portion. This segmentation allows the connection portion to be formed on the end face independently, enabling height reduction while maintaining manufacturability through standard cutting and pressing processes
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 allows for a reduced connector height while maintaining effective mating and connection capabilities, facilitating smaller form factors without compromising electrical or mechanical connections.
Implementation Method 1
the spring portion supports the plate piece portion so as to allow the connection portion to move in the second direction
Data Source
AI summary
Each of additional members of a connector is provided with a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism is provided with a spring portion and a plate piece portion. The plate piece portion has an end face. The end face is formed with a connection portion. The connection portion is oriented inward of the connector in a second direction and located in a receiving portion at least in part. The spring portion supports the plate piece portion so that the connection portion is moveable in the second direction. When the connector is mated with a mating connector, the connection portion is connected to a mating connection portion.