Electrical Connector Terminal Guiding Structure Against Oblique Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors have a large guiding space and poor guiding effect, leading to oblique insertion and potential retreat or exit of the conductive terminal from the insulating shell, especially when the abutting arm is damaged or deformed.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a conductive terminal group with a conductive terminal body featuring a guiding area with a guiding portion bent inward from the opening, reducing the guiding space and preventing oblique insertion. Additionally, a locking member is inserted into the insulating shell to prevent the conductive terminal from retreating or exiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the guiding area has a large guiding space, then the guiding area can accommodate more components, but the guiding effect becomes poor and oblique insertion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding area is segmented into multiple functional zones: a guiding portion with a first guiding surface for initial insertion guidance, and a limiting portion with a second guiding surface that limits the guiding space. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different purposes - the guiding portion provides guidance while the limiting portion prevents excessive movement and oblique insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional constraint by adding the limiting portion that extends in a direction different from the main guiding direction. This creates a three-dimensional guiding structure where the limiting portion restricts movement in lateral dimensions, preventing oblique insertion while maintaining adequate guiding space in the primary insertion direction.
2Device complexity
If only intra-slot cooperation between abutting arm and conductive terminal is used, then the structure is simple, but the conductive terminal may retreat or exit when abutting arm is damaged or deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple retention mechanisms into a unified structure: the abutting arm maintains its original function while the limiting portion of the guiding area is integrated to provide additional mechanical constraints. This combination creates a redundant retention system where if one mechanism fails, others continue to prevent terminal retreat or exit.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting portion with the second guiding surface acts as a preventive measure that is already in place before any damage occurs. It provides beforehand cushioning by creating mechanical limits that prevent the conductive terminal from retreating or exiting, even if the abutting arm becomes damaged or deformed during operation.
3Reliability
If the guiding portion is bent inward from the opening, then oblique insertion is prevented, but the guiding space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding area is divided into a guiding portion that can be bent inward for precision insertion and a limiting portion that maintains adequate space. This segmentation allows the bent guiding portion to provide precise alignment and prevent oblique insertion, while the limiting portion ensures sufficient guiding space is not completely compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The inward bending of the guiding portion is applied locally only where precision guidance is needed near the opening, while other regions of the guiding area maintain their original geometry to preserve guiding space. This local quality change ensures insertion accuracy is improved without unnecessarily reducing the overall guiding volume.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector includes a conductive terminal group, an insulating shell, and a cable. The conductive terminal group includes a plurality of conductive terminals, and the conductive terminal includes a conductive terminal body. The conductive terminal body includes an enclosing portion, an end of the enclosing portion includes a guiding area, and the guiding area has at least one guiding portion. The electrical connector reduces a guiding space of the guiding area, plays a pre-tightening role, prevents oblique insertion, and provides good guiding effect.