Electrical Connector Holding Member for High-Current Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in managing temperature rise when conducting large currents, as they often lack effective mechanisms to dissipate heat efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an insulative housing with inter-connected power contacts and holding members, where each holding member features a reinforcing tab and a resilient arm, which helps in distributing and managing heat by providing additional structural support and thermal dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional electrical connector design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but temperature rise occurs during large current conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical retention for the contact, acts as a power contact for current conduction, and serves as a heat dissipation structure through its tab extending into the housing. This integration of multiple functions into a single component reduces temperature rise without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is configured as a multi-functional element that combines structural support, electrical conduction, and thermal management capabilities. The resilient arm provides both mechanical retention and electrical contact, while the tab extends to provide additional heat dissipation surface area, making the component universal in addressing multiple technical requirements
2Temperature
If holding member provides mechanical support only, then structural integrity is maintained, but thermal management is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member integrates mechanical support and thermal dissipation functions into a single structure. The resilient arm provides mechanical retention while the tab extension provides thermal management, combining these previously separate functions to achieve both structural integrity and effective heat dissipation simultaneously
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
This configuration effectively reduces temperature rise during high-current conduction by enhancing thermal management and structural integrity, thereby improving the reliability and performance of the electrical connector.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient arm extending upwardly from the bottom plate
Implementation Method 2
electrical connector having power contacts and holding members also acting as power contacts
Implementation Method 3
distributing and managing heat by providing additional structural support and thermal dissipation
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes: an insulative housing having an island and a receiving channel; plural contacts secured to the insulative housing and exposed to the receiving channel; and a pair of holding members secured to two opposite ends of the insulative housing and exposed to the receiving channel, each holding member having a first part and a second and third parts at two opposite ends of the first part, wherein the second part of each holding member has a bottom plate, a reinforcing tab extending upwardly from the bottom plate, and a resilient arm extending upwardly from the bottom plate and located proximal to associated third part than the reinforcing tab.