Connector With Noncontact Surfaces For Low Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for substrates require high insertion force due to the edge of the locking projection contacting the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole, which burdens the operator and may reduce the holding force if the edge is removed to alleviate this issue.
Innovation Solution
The connector features an expanding slot with elastically deformable legs and locking projections that have noncontact surfaces orthogonal to the flexing direction, allowing for low insertion force while maintaining the holding force by avoiding contact with the inner peripheral surface during insertion and engaging the substrate upon exit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the edge of the locking projection is formed on the entire periphery of each leg, then the locking area is increased, but the insertion force becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The locking projection is designed with differentiated surface characteristics: the first peripheral surface (edge portion) contacts the through-hole inner surface to enable smooth insertion, while the second peripheral surface (locking portion) provides locking engagement with the substrate. This local differentiation allows each surface to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral surface of the locking projection is segmented into two distinct portions: a first peripheral surface for sliding contact during insertion and a second peripheral surface for locking engagement. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the insertion function from the locking function, allowing low insertion force while maintaining adequate holding force.
2Ease of operation
If the edge of the locking projection is removed to decrease insertion force, then the operational burden is reduced, but the locking area decreases more than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing the entire edge, the invention selectively applies contact properties to specific portions: the first peripheral surface is designed for minimal contact during insertion, while the second peripheral surface maintains sufficient locking area. This localized approach preserves holding force while reducing insertion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Conventionally, the entire peripheral surface contacts the through-hole, creating high insertion force. The invention inverts this approach by designing only a portion (the first peripheral surface) to contact the through-hole, while the remaining portion (second peripheral surface) is reserved for locking engagement, thereby reducing insertion force without compromising holding force.
3Device complexity
If the locking projection contacts the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole, then the legs are guided during insertion, but the insertion force becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is localized to the first peripheral surface of the locking projection, which contacts the through-hole inner surface. This limited contact provides sufficient alignment guidance during insertion while minimizing the insertion force required, compared to full-periphery contact.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the entire peripheral surface for guidance contact, the invention employs only a partial contact (first peripheral surface) sufficient for alignment purposes. This partial action achieves the necessary guidance function while avoiding the excessive insertion force that would result from complete peripheral contact.
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 reduces the operational burden during insertion and maintains the holding force by ensuring the locking area is not compromised, with noncontact surfaces guiding the legs smoothly and preventing foreign matter entrapment or projection breakage.
Implementation Method 1
at least two legs are elastically deformable into the expanding slot... the legs restore resiliently when the locking projections emerge from the through hole
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing part (12) has two resiliently deformable legs (18) separated by a slot (17). A locking projection (19) is formed at a distal end (19C) of the fixing part (12) and has a locking surface (19A) spaced from the distal end (19C). A maximum cross-sectional dimension (A) of the fixing part (12) at the locking surface (19A) exceeds the diameter (d) of a through-hole (71) in a substrate (70). A tapered sliding-contact surface (19B) extends from the locking surface (19A) to the distal end (19C). Noncontact surfaces (21) are at opposite circumferential ends of each sliding contact surface (19B) and substantially adjacent the slot (17). The noncontact surfaces (22) of each locking projection (19) are spaced from one another at the slot (17) by distances that are no greater than the diameter (d) of the through-hole (71).