Connector Module with Elastic Contact Legs for Hot-Swap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector modules in industrial control applications often experience sudden shorts or breaks during insertion or removal of foreign objects, leading to malfunctions or damage due to the complexity of their structures.
Innovation Solution
A connector module with an insulation main body and groups of connection terminals, including first and second contact pieces with elastic legs, allowing for resilient contact and release mechanisms to accommodate foreign objects like circuit boards, preventing sudden shorts or breaks during operation and mode switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a T-shaped connector piece with elastic legs is used to establish electrical connections, then the connector can provide modularized connectivity and support hot-swap operations, but sudden shorts or breaks occur during insertion or removal of foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The connector piece is divided into multiple independent contact pieces (first contact piece with first elastic leg, second contact piece with second elastic leg, third contact piece with third elastic leg) arranged in sequence. Each contact piece can independently establish or break electrical connections, allowing the circuit to transition through intermediate states rather than sudden changes. This segmentation enables reliable hot-swap operations by preventing simultaneous connection of all contacts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the slot width is increased to accommodate foreign objects like circuit boards, then hot-swap functionality is enabled, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The contact pieces are designed with elastic legs that can dynamically adjust their position and contact pressure. The elastic legs automatically make or break electrical connections based on the presence and position of foreign objects in the slot. This dynamic behavior enables the connector to adapt to different insertion states without requiring complex mechanical control mechanisms, achieving hot-swap functionality with a relatively simple structure.
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
The connector module effectively prevents sudden shorts or breaks during insertion and removal of foreign objects, ensuring reliable electrical connections and maintaining conductivity, thus supporting hot-swap functionality without a complicated structure.
Implementation Method 1
each group of connection terminals including a first contact piece and a second contact piece; wherein the first contact piece provides an external first contact and internal second and third contacts... the second contact piece provides an external fourth contact and internal fifth and sixth contacts... in resilient contact with the second and third contacts
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a connector module comprising an insulation main body including a slot and groups of connection terminals fixed to the insulation main body, with each group of connection terminals including a first contact piece and a second contact piece. The first contact piece provides an external first contact and internal second and third contacts, arranged along a first direction in the slot. The second contact piece provides an external fourth contact and internal fifth and sixth contacts, arranged along the first direction in the slot and in resilient contact with the second and third contacts, respectively. When an external object enters into the slot in the first direction, contact between the second and fifth contacts or the third and sixth contacts is released.