Connector Guide Pin Segmentation for Alignment Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional docking connectors face structural interference issues due to assembly tolerance, leading to motion deadlock and linking paralysis, which complicates the connection between portable electronic devices and external transmitters.
Innovation Solution
The connector mechanism features a guide pin structure with a wider second portion and a narrower first portion, and a guide hole structure with a wider bottom and narrower opening, along with a buffer area, to facilitate accurate alignment and prevent structural interference by adjusting the orientation leading from the guide pin/hole structures to the plug/receptacle connectors during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional docking connector uses a guiding pin and guiding hole to connect terminals, then assembly alignment is improved, but motion deadlock and linking paralysis occur due to structural interference
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding pin is segmented into two portions with different widths. The first portion has a narrower width for passing through the guiding hole, while the second portion has a wider width that prevents structural interference with the plug and receptacle connectors. This segmentation allows the guiding pin to fulfill both alignment and interference-prevention functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the guiding pin have different local qualities (widths) to perform different functions. The narrower first portion provides precise alignment guidance, while the wider second portion prevents structural interference. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between alignment precision and motion freedom.
2Ease of manufacture
If the guide pin and guide hole have fixed widths, then manufacturing is simplified, but assembly tolerance cannot be compensated leading to connection difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding pin's width parameter varies along its length rather than being uniform. The first portion has a narrower width parameter while the second portion has a wider width parameter. This parameter change allows the structure to compensate for assembly tolerance while remaining manufacturable using standard processes.
3Measurement precision
If the guide pin structure is extended beyond the plug connector length, then orientation accuracy is improved, but structural interference with the receptacle connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extended portions of the guiding pin have different local qualities (widths). The narrower first portion can extend further without causing interference, while the wider second portion is positioned to provide orientation accuracy without contacting the receptacle connector. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between extended orientation guidance and interference prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector mechanism is utilized to connect with a portable electronic device which includes a receptacle connector and a guide hole structure. The guide hole structure includes a first area and a second area. The connector mechanism includes a base, a plug connector and a guide pin structure. The plug connector and the guide pin structure are disposed on the base. A length of the guide pin structure is greater than a length of the plug connector. The guide pin structure includes a first portion and a second portion. A width of the first portion is smaller than a width of the second portion. Width difference between the plug connector and the receptacle connector is smaller than width difference between the second portion and the first area and between the first portion and the second area, and is greater than width difference between the second portion and the second area.