Connector With Offset Terminals for Wire and Device Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connection devices only connect conductive wires between two cables and lack the ability to connect these wires to electrical devices or other connectors, limiting their functionality and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A connector design that allows for connection to both electric wires and other connectors, featuring a housing with terminals and coupling terminals that can mate with other connectors, with electric wire connecting parts and contact parts positioned orthogonally to the mating direction, enabling connection to devices and relaying while maintaining a simple configuration and small size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a connector is designed to connect both electric wires and other connectors, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two distinct terminal types: coupling terminals for connecting to other connectors and electric wire connecting parts for attaching to wires. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity in the design and manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing is designed to accommodate multiple types of connections simultaneously - it can couple with other connectors while also providing wire connection points. This multi-functional design enables a single device to perform both relay/daisy-chain connections and direct wire attachments without requiring separate components
2Ease of operation
If the electric wire connecting part and contact part are positioned offset, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric wire connecting part and contact part are positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis of the connector. This spatial arrangement in one dimension allows operators to access wire connection points and coupling interfaces separately, improving ease of operation while maintaining a simple linear structure that does not significantly increase complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector enables connection to devices and relaying, then the versatility is improved, but the size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector integrates both coupling terminals and electric wire connecting parts within a single compact housing structure. By merging these functions into one unified component rather than using separate devices, the connector achieves high versatility (can relay signals and connect to devices) while maintaining a small overall size that does not significantly exceed conventional single-function connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is provided that is configured to mate with a second connector and a third connector includes a housing, terminals equipped in the housing that are configured to connect to third terminals provided in the third connector, and coupling terminals that can at least connect to a second terminal provided in the second connector. The terminals include an electric wire connecting part that is configured to connect to electric wires included in a cable connected to the housing and a contact part that is configured to make contact with the third terminals. The electric wire connecting part and contact part positions are offset with regard to a direction orthogonal to a mating direction.