Connector Floating Mechanism for Positional Deviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with floating structures face challenges in accommodating positional deviations between substrates during connection, often resulting in short circuits or failed connections, and previous solutions limit floating amounts to less than 0.4 mm, which is insufficient for accurate alignment without increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring contacts with a contact portion, a first and second fixed portion, and an elastic portion in a crank shape, supported by a movable housing and a fixation block, allowing for a floating amount of more than 0.7 mm without causing short circuits, achieved through a combination of metal and insulating plastic components with specific cross-sectional shapes and elastic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a floating construction is used to accommodate positional deviation, then the connector can be fitted with a mating connector despite positional deviation, but the floating amount is limited to less than 0.4 mm which is insufficient for accurate alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The contact is designed with a flexible portion that can dynamically adjust its position to accommodate deviations between the connector and mating connector. The flexible portion bends elastically to absorb positional mismatches, enabling the floating construction to achieve sufficient floating amount for accurate alignment while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible portion of the contact is made longer to increase floating amount, then the floating displacement is increased, but the contact may contact the substrate and cause short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating housing is introduced as an intermediary component to isolate the contact from the substrate. The insulating housing prevents direct contact between the flexible portion of the contact and the substrate, thereby eliminating the short circuit risk while allowing the flexible portion to be sufficiently long for increased floating displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact includes a flexible portion with elastic properties that can bend without contacting the substrate. The flexible portion is designed with appropriate elasticity to accommodate floating displacement while the insulating housing provides physical separation to prevent short circuiting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a floating construction is used to accommodate positional deviation, then the connector can absorb positional deviation, but the structure becomes more complex requiring additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds and positions the contact, provides electrical insulation to prevent short circuits, and enables the floating construction. By merging these functions into a single integrated component, the structural complexity is reduced while maintaining the positional deviation accommodation capability.
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 connector enables stable electrical connections by accommodating positional deviations up to 0.7 mm, preventing short circuits, and allowing repeated fitting and removal without deformation, while maintaining a compact size and reducing the number of parts.
Implementation Method 1
the contacts (16) each comprise a contact portion (22) at one end adapted to contact the mating connector (80); a connection portion (30) at the other end to be connected to a substrate (90); and between the contact portion (22) and the connection portion (30), a first fixed portion (24), a second fixed portion (28) and an elastic portion (26) having elasticity
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes contacts and an insulator. Each contact includes a contact portion, a first fixed portion, an elastic portion substantially in the form of a crank, a second fixed portion and a connection portion. The insulator includes a fixation block to which the second fixed portions are fixed, and a movable housing to which the first fixed portions are fixed. The movable housing is fixed only to the contacts and held by the elastic portions in a floating condition away from the bottom surface of the fixation block. The fixation block has a wall for preventing short circuit when the connector is being mounted on a substrate. A floating amount of more than 0.7 mm can be achieved with a simple construction without causing short circuit with a substrate when the connector is being fitted with a mating connector and without causing any failed connection.