Connector Holding Member for Conductive Stack Attachment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors for conductive members are complex to attach and require larger devices due to the cumbersome process of inserting and enclosing the end portion of the conductive member, making the operation complicated and the device oversized.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a holding member that lays in a band shape on a stack of conductive members and reinforcing plates, simplifying the attachment process and downsizing the device by allowing electrical connection on both faces of the combined body, with locking projections and abutment portions for secure housing and vibration reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the end portion of the conductive member is inserted into the holder portion and circumferentially enclosed by the tubular portion, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and operation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of holding the conductive member from the complex tubular enclosure structure. Instead of using a holder portion with insertion slots and a tubular portion for circumferential enclosure, the invention uses a simplified clamp member that directly clamps the conductive member at its end portion, achieving reliable connection without the complex enclosing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inserting the conductive member into a holder and then enclosing it with a tubular portion (inside-out approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the clamp member directly engage and clamp the end portion of the conductive member from the outside, simplifying both the structure and the attachment operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the end portion of the conductive member is inserted into the holder portion and circumferentially enclosed by the tubular portion, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of holding the conductive member from the complex tubular enclosure structure. Instead of using a holder portion with insertion slots and a tubular portion for circumferential enclosure, the invention uses a simplified clamp member that directly clamps the conductive member at its end portion, achieving reliable connection without the complex enclosing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inserting the conductive member into a holder and then enclosing it with a tubular portion (inside-out approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the clamp member directly engage and clamp the end portion of the conductive member from the outside, simplifying both the structure and the attachment operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the tubular portion covers and encloses the end portion of the conductive member, then the connection stability is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of holding the conductive member from the complex tubular enclosure structure. Instead of using a holder portion with insertion slots and a tubular portion for circumferential enclosure, the invention uses a simplified clamp member that directly clamps the conductive member at its end portion, achieving reliable connection without the complex enclosing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of the holder portion and the tubular portion into a single integrated clamp member. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components and reduces the overall device size while maintaining the stability of the connection through the clamping action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11196199B2Connector including holding member for holding conductive member

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 HIROSE ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A connector includes a housing, and a holding member attached to the housing. The holding member holds a stack of a first conductive member and a first reinforcing plate. The first reinforcing plate is disposed on a second face of the first conductive member, the second face being opposite to a first face on which a plurality of conductors is arranged adjacent to each other in a width direction and planarly exposed at a first end side in a length direction. The holding member is laid in a band shape in the width direction on the stack at an intermediate position between the first end side and a second end side in the length direction. The stack further includes a second reinforcing plate and a second conductive member. The second reinforcing plate is disposed on a second face of the first reinforcing plate, the second face being opposite to a first face on which the first conductive member is disposed. The second conductive member is disposed on a second face of the second reinforcing plate, the second face being opposite to a first face on which the first reinforcing plate is disposed. The second reinforcing plate is disposed on a second face of the second conductive member, the second face being opposite to a first face on which a plurality of conductors is arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction and planarly exposed at the first end side in the length direction.