Connector Assembly Locking Mechanism for Contact Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies face reliability issues due to foreign substances lodging between contact points, leading to poor contact, especially when the first and second contact pieces are engaged, which can compromise the connection's integrity.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly features socket contact members with first and second contact pieces in a spaced perpendicular relation, along with a lock mechanism using protrusions and concave portions that ensure contact reliability by preventing foreign substances from lodging between the contact points, while maintaining the assembly's height by positioning these features perpendicular to the insertion direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two contact points are provided between header contact member and socket contact member, then contact reliability is improved, but foreign substances may lodge between both contact points causing poor contact
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface is segmented into multiple contact points (first contact piece and second contact piece) arranged in a spaced relation. This segmentation ensures that if foreign substances lodge at one contact point, the other contact point can still maintain electrical connection, thereby preventing complete connection failure and improving overall contact reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second contact pieces are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the header, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This perpendicular arrangement distributes contact points across multiple dimensions, reducing the probability that foreign substances will simultaneously block all contact paths.
2Strength
If lock mechanism with protrusions is added to engage contact pieces, then mechanical strength is improved, but assembly height in insertion direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is merged with the contact pieces themselves. The protrusions are formed as integral parts of the first and second contact pieces, combining the electrical contact function and the mechanical locking function into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate locking components that would increase assembly height.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, utilizing lateral space rather than vertical space. This allows the lock mechanism to engage in the width direction while maintaining a compact profile in the insertion direction, thereby improving mechanical strength without increasing assembly height.
3Reliability
If contact pieces are arranged in spaced relation perpendicular to insertion direction, then contact reliability is improved by preventing foreign substance lodging, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second contact pieces serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electrical contact paths and incorporate lock mechanisms through integrated protrusions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved contact reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pieces are designed with variable cross-sectional areas, where the cross-sectional area of the protrusions is smaller than that of the main contact pieces. This parameter variation allows the lock mechanism to engage effectively while maintaining adequate contact area for reliable electrical connection, optimizing the balance between reliability and complexity.
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 design enhances contact reliability by ensuring at least one contact point remains unobstructed, even with foreign substances present, and maintains the assembly's height by integrating the lock mechanism without increasing its vertical dimension, thereby improving mechanical strength and ease of molding.
Implementation Method 1
one first contact piece of the socket contact member and the header contact member has a first protrusion elastically projecting in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the header
Data Source
AI summary
This connector assembly comprises a header (1) and a socket (2). The header (1) has a header contact member (4) with a first contact piece (41) and a second contact piece (42), and the socket (2) has a socket contact member (6) with a first contact piece (64) and a second contact piece (66). The first contact piece (64) of the socket contact member (6) has a first protrusion (64a) and the first contact piece (41) of the header contact member (4) has a second protrusion (41a), and the first protrusion (64a) and the second protrusion (41a) constitute a lock mechanism when the header is inserted into the socket. The second contact piece (42) of the header contact member (4) has a concave portion (42a) in a surface for making contact with the second contact piece (66). When the second contact pieces (42) and (66) make contact with each other, a gap is formed between the second contact piece (66) and an inner surface of the concave portion (42a).