Connector Hold-Down Structure to Prevent Spring Portion Buckling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The spring portions of hold-downs in connectors can buckle during the mating process, which compromises the structural integrity and functionality of the connector.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with an island-like portion and a protector for the spring portions, where the spring portions are arranged near the island-like portion and protected by a metal protector, preventing them from abutting with the mating connector and allowing for resilient deformation without compromising the housing's strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spring portion is made resiliently deformable to allow contact during mating, then electrical contact functionality is improved, but the spring portion is susceptible to buckling during the mating process
Solution Approach 1:
The hold-down is divided into distinct functional segments: a base portion for mounting, a resilient portion for elastic deformation, and a contact portion for electrical contact. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while reducing the risk of overall buckling.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion acts as a pre-designed cushioning element that absorbs mating forces through controlled elastic deformation. By anticipating the mating process forces, the design prevents sudden buckling by providing a compliant zone that dissipates energy before it can reach the contact portion.
2Reliability
If the spring portion is positioned to allow free movement for resilient deformation, then contact reliability is improved, but the housing structural strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with differentiated local properties: the main housing body maintains high structural strength, while a specific local region (the through-hole area) provides the necessary compliance for spring portion movement. This localized quality change allows the spring to deform without compromising overall housing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion serves as an intermediary element between the rigid housing structure and the contact portion. It mediates the interaction by providing a compliant connection point that allows movement within the housing without requiring the housing itself to be flexible, thus maintaining housing strength while enabling contact reliability.
3Reliability
If the spring portion is exposed to allow contact with the mating connector, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the spring portion is susceptible to abrasion and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portion is pre-formed with a geometry and material properties that are optimized for durable electrical contact. The shape and surface characteristics are established during manufacturing to minimize stress concentration and maximize wear resistance before the mating process begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The hold-down is constructed using composite material properties: the base portion and resilient portion use materials optimized for mechanical compliance and strength, while the contact portion uses material with superior electrical conductivity and wear resistance. This composite approach allows each section to resist the specific harmful factors it encounters during operation.
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 design effectively prevents spring portion buckling, enhances the connector's structural strength, and maintains electrical contact integrity by ensuring the spring portions are protected from abrasion and deformation during mating.
Implementation Method 1
the spring portion extends upward from the extending portion so as to be resiliently deformable
Data Source
AI summary
A connector comprises a hold-down and a housing which has a protected portion. The hold-down has a base portion, two side arms which are connected to opposite sides of the base portion in a width direction, respectively, and a middle arm which extends inward in a pitch direction from the base portion. Each of the side arms has a side portion which extends along the pitch direction, an extending portion which extends inward in the width direction from a lower end of the side portion and a spring portion which extends upward from the extending portion so as to be resiliently deformable. The middle arm has a protector. The protector covers the protected portion. The protected portion is formed with movement-allowance portions which allow movements of the spring portions in accordance with resilient deformations thereof, respectively. The protector is located above the movement-allowance portions.