Electrical Connector Position Hole Ribs for Holding Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors used to connect chip modules to printed circuit boards lack sufficient holding force due to inadequate design of position holes with ribs, which can lead to insufficient retention and potential damage during insertion.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector features an insulative housing with position holes having three ribs that extend from the matching surface to the mounting surface, forming an arc-shaped loop with a specific diameter and thickness, providing enhanced elasticity and holding force through strategic angulation and gap distribution to securely engage the position post.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple ribs are added to the position hole to increase holding force, then the retention strength improves, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The position hole is segmented into multiple ribs (first, second, and third ribs) that are distributed around the circumference of the position post. This segmentation allows the holding force to be distributed across multiple contact points, increasing overall retention strength while maintaining a relatively simple structural configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rib is designed with specific local characteristics including different heights, thicknesses, and angular positions. The first rib has a greater height than the second rib, and each rib has an optimized thickness-to-height ratio. This local quality optimization ensures that each rib contributes effectively to holding force while minimizing material usage and structural complexity.
2Strength
If the ribs are made thicker to increase holding force, then the retention strength improves, but the elasticity and resilience of the position hole deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs are designed with optimized dimensional parameters where the thickness is a controlled fraction of the height (thickness-to-height ratio between 0.2 and 0.5). This parameter optimization ensures that the ribs have sufficient thickness to provide holding force while maintaining adequate elasticity to accommodate the position post and absorb insertion forces without permanent deformation.
3Strength
If the ribs are positioned at arbitrary angles to maximize contact, then the holding force improves, but the manufacturing precision and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs are positioned at asymmetric angular intervals around the position post rather than being uniformly distributed. The first rib is positioned at a first angle, the second rib at a second angle, and the third rib at a third angle, creating an asymmetric configuration that optimizes contact points while being manufacturable with standard angular tolerances.
4Ease of manufacture
If the position hole design is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture improves, but the holding force and retention capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex external features to the position hole to increase holding force, the invention inverts the approach by creating ribs that extend inward from the position hole wall toward the position post. This inverted rib configuration increases holding force through internal structural features that are actually simpler to manufacture than external additions, as the ribs are formed directly during the position hole machining or molding process.
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 ensures a strong and resilient connection with reduced insertion force, minimizing damage to both the position post and the insulative housing, while maintaining proper rigidity and resiliency for effective retention.
Implementation Method 1
The position hole has three ribs in an inner surface thereof, the ribs extend from the matching surface toward the mounting surface along a straight line... providing enhanced elasticity and holding force
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector is provided for electrically connecting a chip module with a position post to a printed circuit board. The connector includes an insulative housing defining a matching surface and a mounting surface opposite each other, and a position hole disposed in the insulative housing; a plurality of terminals loaded in the insulative housing. The position hole has three ribs in an inner surface thereof, the ribs extend from the matching surface toward the mounting surface along a straight line.