Electrical Connector Guide Wall Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in providing guide features while maintaining a compact design, especially for connectors with separate mating interfaces for signal and power contacts, which hinders the increase in connection density on circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
The integration of guide members with electrical power contacts, where the guide members include receptacles or plugs with guide features that facilitate alignment and housing of the connectors, allowing for efficient mating without the need for additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If guide members are added to electrical connectors for alignment, then alignment accuracy is improved, but connector volume increases due to extra space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is merged with the power contact by forming the guide wall around the power contact body. The guide feature is created on the surface of the power contact itself, eliminating the need for separate guide member structures and reducing overall connector volume while maintaining alignment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The power contact serves dual functions: electrical power conduction and alignment guidance. By incorporating the guide feature directly on the power contact, a single component performs both electrical and mechanical alignment roles, reducing the number of separate components needed.
2Measurement precision
If guide members are integrated into the housing, then alignment functionality is improved, but connection density decreases due to space consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The guide function is combined with the power contact rather than being housed separately. This integration eliminates the space that would be required for dedicated guide member housing, allowing more connections to be packed into the same area and improving connection density.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide feature is formed on the lateral surface of the power contact, utilizing the vertical dimension around the contact body rather than requiring horizontal space. This dimensional approach allows alignment functionality without consuming valuable horizontal connection space.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector for mating with a mating connector includes a housing having a mating face and a guide member. The guide member includes a receptacle and a guide wall. The guide wall includes an interior surface that at least partially defines the receptacle. The interior surface includes a guide feature. The receptacle is configured to receive a plug of a mating housing of the mating connector therein. An electrical power contact includes a mating end held within the receptacle of the guide member. The guide wall of the guide member extends at least partially around the mating end of the electrical power contact.