Electrical Connector Movable Portion Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrical connectors with a floating structure face challenges in reducing size while maintaining high connection reliability due to the limitations imposed by the movable portions, which require a certain minimum size for effective displacement and vibration absorption.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design incorporates a movable portion with a first extension, a hairpin portion, and a second extension, where the width of the gap between the second extension and the base varies, allowing for a larger movable space without uniformly increasing the gap width, and includes a spring portion and cutout portions to reduce size and prevent flux flow, along with elastic pieces for contact point wiping, enabling compactness and high-density mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the movable portion is made larger to ensure sufficient displacement space, then the connection reliability is improved, but the overall size of the electrical connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable portion is nested within the housing structure, with the first extension positioned in a movable space defined by the fixed housing and movable housing. The second extension is integrated with the base, allowing the movable portion to operate within the existing connector footprint without requiring additional external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap width between the second extension and base varies along the longitudinal direction, creating a three-dimensional movable space that provides sufficient displacement volume without increasing the overall connector dimensions. This variable gap design allows the movable portion to achieve reliable displacement while maintaining compact external dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If the gap width between the second extension and base is uniformly increased to provide larger movable space, then the displacement capability is improved, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gap width between the second extension and base is not uniform but varies along the longitudinal direction. The gap is wider at certain positions to provide sufficient movable space for the movable portion, while being narrower at other positions to maintain compact overall dimensions. This localized variation in gap width optimizes both displacement capability and size.
3Volume of moving object
If the movable portion structure is simplified to reduce size, then the connector compactness is improved, but the vibration absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable portion is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to dynamically respond to vibrations and impacts. The first extension and second extension with the base form an elastic structure that can deform and absorb vibrational energy, maintaining vibration absorption capability while keeping the overall structure compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable portion is segmented into the first extension, hairpin portion, and second extension with base, allowing each segment to contribute to vibration absorption through controlled deformation. This segmented elastic structure provides effective vibration damping within a compact form factor.
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 effectively reduces the size of the electrical connector, enhances connection reliability, and prevents flux flow and foreign substance interference, allowing for high-density component mounting and improved insertability.
Implementation Method 1
a movable portion (11) that elastically supports the movable housing (8b) in such a way that the movable housing (8b) is displaceable relative to a fixed housing (8a)
Implementation Method 2
the second extension (11c) may include a spring portion that is bent in such a way that the width of the gap between the second extension and the base near the one end portion is larger than that near the other end portion
Data Source
AI summary
A socket terminal includes a movable portion that includes a first extension that extends from a position near a fixed housing in an insertion/extraction direction of a plug connector, a hairpin portion that is continuous with the first extension, and a second extension that is continuous with the hairpin portion and that extends in the insertion/extraction direction toward a movable housing. The movable portion elastically supports the movable housing in such a way that the movable housing is displaceable relative to the fixed housing. The second extension of the movable portion includes a spring portion that is bent in such a way that the width of a gap between the second extension and a base at one end portion of the second extension continuous with the hairpin portion is larger than that at the other end portion of the second extension continuous with the base.