Connector Terminal Press-Supporting Members Disperse Contact Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors face issues with deformation under high contact pressure, particularly when the housing is subjected to high temperatures or high currents, leading to unstable connections due to the deformation of the terminal and housing components.

Innovation Solution

The connector design incorporates first and second press-supporting members that extend from the fixing base along the sides of the connection object, dispersing the pressing force and preventing deformation by not being fixed to the housing, thus maintaining stability under increased contact pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the contact pressure to be applied from the first contact member and the second contact member to the connection object is set to a high level so as to stabilize the contact between the terminal and the connection object, then the contact stability is improved, but the joining member joining the first contact member and the second contact member may deform away from each other, leading to unstable contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidjoining member stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing force support function is segmented between multiple components: the first press-supporting member, second press-supporting member, first contact-receiving part, and second contact-receiving part. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress and prevents concentration on a single joining member, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high contact pressure and preventing joining member deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the contact pressure generated as a pressing force by the first contact member and the second contact member is applied to the housing for a long time, then the contact pressure is maintained, but the housing may deform under the pressing force, particularly if the housing is heated in an environment at a high temperature or with the supply of a high current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact pressure maintenanceVSAvoidhousing stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing force transmission path is extracted from the housing by introducing dedicated press-supporting members. The first and second press-supporting members are configured to support the pressing force without transmitting it to the housing, effectively separating the contact pressure maintenance function from the housing structure and preventing housing deformation under thermal or electrical stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the first press-supporting member and the second press-supporting member are configured to disperse the pressing force, then the deformation of contact members and housing is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation preventionVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The press-supporting members are merged with the contact-receiving parts to form integrated components. The first press-supporting member includes both the first joining member and the first contact-receiving part, while the second press-supporting member includes the second joining member and the second contact-receiving part. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the force dispersal function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 that the terminal and connection object remain stably conductively connected while preventing deformation of the terminal and housing, even under high contact pressure, and reduces the size of the connector without increasing its size significantly.

Implementation Method 1

The second contact member serves as a cantilever spring member. When the connection object is inserted into the connector, the second contact member presses the connection object against the first contact member.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The first press-supporting member and the second press-supporting member are each in a form of a cantilever extending from the fixing base without being fixed to the housing at all.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3540862B1connector
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 IRISO ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3540862B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3540862B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3540862B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a connector that is less deformable even under a high contact pressure. A connector includes a housing having a fitting chamber, and a terminal that comes into conductive contact with a pin terminal in the fitting chamber. The terminal includes a fixing base fixed to the housing, a contact member extending from the fixing base and pressed against the pin terminal, and right and left press-supporting members extending from the fixing base. The press-supporting members include respective contact-receiving parts that face the contact member in the fitting chamber and are positioned side by side in a direction intersecting a direction of insertion of the pin terminal into the fitting chamber. Since the pressed pin terminal is received by the plurality of contact-receiving parts, the pressing force can be dispersed therebetween. Hence, the deformation of the contact member and the contact-receiving parts can be prevented.