Electrical Connector Locking Pin Assembly for PCB
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for circuit boards face challenges in easily locking and unlocking without significant effort, and there is a need for a secure yet reusable fastening mechanism that does not deform plastically, making it difficult to release the connector from the circuit board.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector features a locking pin assembly with movable functional elements, including an expanding mandrel and wedges, which can move from a retracted to an expanded position, allowing for easy locking and unlocking by hand, and can be reused without deformation, using a combination of compression spring contacts and actuation devices for secure engagement with the circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If expanding dowels are used to secure the housing to the circuit board, then the connector can be firmly fixed, but it becomes difficult to release the locking pin and unlock the connector from the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin assembly incorporates movable functional elements that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The actuation device enables dynamic control of the locking mechanism, allowing the connector to be firmly fixed during operation yet easily released when needed, resolving the contradiction between strong fixing and easy unlocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation device serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the locking pin assembly. By providing a dedicated actuation interface, it enables easy manual operation to unlock the connector without requiring excessive force or complex maneuvers, while maintaining strong locking when engaged.
2Reliability
If the locking pin assembly uses functional elements that expand beyond the opening diameter, then secure locking is achieved, but the connector cannot be removed without destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The functional elements of the locking pin assembly are designed to be movable rather than permanently deformed. They can expand to engage with the circuit board for reliable locking, then contract or retract to allow removal and reuse of the connector, eliminating the need for destruction upon removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin assembly is divided into separable functional elements that can move independently. This segmentation allows the elements to expand for locking while maintaining the ability to retract for removal, enabling the connector to be reused multiple times without damage.
3Ease of operation
If the connector is designed for easy manual locking, then ease of operation is improved, but the locking mechanism may lack sufficient securing strength
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation device acts as an intermediary that translates simple manual motion into effective locking action. It provides mechanical advantage or force multiplication, allowing the user to easily operate the locking mechanism while still achieving sufficient securing strength through the expanding functional elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses dynamic functional elements that can be easily actuated manually yet generate substantial locking force when engaged. The movable components allow for simple operation during activation while maintaining strong securing performance during the locked state.
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 solution enables secure and durable electrical connections to circuit boards that can be easily locked and unlocked manually, allowing for repeated use without damaging the connector or the circuit board, ensuring reliable contact and easy attachment or retrofitting.
Implementation Method 1
The contacts are designed as compression spring contact
Implementation Method 2
A locking pin assembly, which when mounted on the circuit board passes through an opening of the circuit board and can move from a retracted release position to an expanded locking position in which its diameter on the side of the opening facing away from the housing is larger than the diameter of the opening of the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector for connecting an electrical conductor to a circuit board includes a housing electrically connected on a connecting side of the electrical connector to an electrical connecting part and including a contact side having one or more contacts, in order to make electrical contact with one or more mating contacts of the circuit board. A locking pin assembly passes through an opening of the circuit board and moves from a release position to a locking position in which its diameter on the side of the opening facing away from the housing is larger than the diameter of the opening of the circuit board. The housing includes at least one activating device and the locking pin assembly includes at least two functional elements which move relative to each other.