Floating Electrical Connector Guide Groove and Post Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies face issues with reliable engagement due to long, freely movable mating ends, leading to misengagement or failure to engage between connectors.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector assembly with a guide structure, featuring a first connector with a guide groove and a second connector with a corresponding guide post, ensuring precise alignment and engagement between the connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mating ends are made long and freely movable to facilitate assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of engagement deteriorates due to misengagement or failure to engage
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure consisting of a guide groove in the first connector and a guide post in the second connector acts as an intermediary element. This guide structure directs and constrains the movement of the mating ends during assembly, ensuring proper alignment and engagement while maintaining the flexibility needed for ease of assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mating ends are made freely movable to accommodate positioning variations, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure provides localized constraint at the engagement interface. The guide groove and guide post create a specific geometric relationship that ensures precise alignment at the critical engagement point, while other parts of the connector maintain flexibility for positioning adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector, the first connector comprises a first insulative housing defining a guide groove extending from the top face to the bottom face, and a plurality of first terminals received in the first passageways; The second connector comprises a second insulative housing defining a guide post adapted to mate with the guide groove for fastening the first connector and the second connector, and a plurality of second terminals received in the second passageways, wherein the guide post penetrates through the guide groove and the transition portion of each first terminal respectively engages with the engagement section of corresponding second terminal when assembled together.