Compact Electrical Connector Asymmetric Support and Groove Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in maintaining desirable electrical properties while occupying a small volume and ensuring reliable operation, particularly due to issues with force direction during mating that can cause tilting and detachment of metal terminals from the printed circuit board.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an abutting groove and snap-fit hole mechanism in the connector housing, which guides the plug connector correctly and provides stable mating, along with asymmetric support parts to prevent tilting, ensuring secure attachment to the circuit board and reducing the risk of damage during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector is designed to occupy a small volume, then the space efficiency is improved, but the stability and reliability of terminal connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric support parts positioned at specific locations on the insulative body to prevent tilting during mating. The support parts are strategically placed to provide stabilization without requiring symmetric structures that would increase connector volume. This asymmetric configuration maintains compact size while ensuring reliable terminal connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutting groove and snap-fit hole are designed to guide the mating process in advance, ensuring correct alignment before the connectors fully engage. This preliminary guidance action prevents misalignment and tilting that could compromise terminal reliability, while the compact design maintains small volume.
2Device complexity
If the connector structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the ability to withstand operational stresses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The metal housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides mating through the abutting groove, and houses the snap-fit holes for alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components that would increase complexity while maintaining the strength required to withstand operational stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: the insulative body with embedded terminals, the metal housing with integration features, and the support parts. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and stress resistance.
3Volume of moving object
If the connector is designed for compact size, then the space utilization is improved, but the signal integrity maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The metal housing acts as an intermediary structure that maintains proper spacing and alignment between the insulative body and the mating connector. This intermediary element ensures desirable electrical properties and signal integrity are maintained throughout the mating process, even in the compact connector design.
4Ease of operation
If the abutting groove mechanism is added to guide mating, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The abutting groove is integrated directly into the metal housing structure, combining the guidance function with the housing's structural role. This merging eliminates the need for separate guidance components that would increase complexity, while still providing easy mating through the groove mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector system with a receptacle and plug. The receptacle has a metal housing encircling an insulative housing. A side wall of the metal housing is separated from a corresponding side wall of the insulative housing, leaving a groove. The plug has a wall, extending from an insulative housing of the plug, parallel to a paddle card. The metal housing may be shaped to engage with the wall during mating of the plug and receptacle, facilitating alignment of the paddle card and plug interface of the receptacle. The wall may also carry latching components, which may latch to corresponding features of the metal housing, reducing the height of the mated connectors in comparison to configurations in which the latching components are mounted to the insulative housing of the plug. The receptacle housing may have asymmetric support parts, providing support in a compact space.