Connector Receptacle Side Wall Grooves Tensile Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit board connectors face challenges in miniaturization, particularly in reducing height without compromising structural integrity, as thinning the upper wall can lead to cracking or rolling under tensile forces, and previous solutions either enlarge the connector or contradict the miniaturization goal.
Innovation Solution
The connector features a receptacle with recessed side walls forming mounting grooves for fixing members and engaging grooves that resist tensile forces by engaging with projections from the housing, preventing the upper wall from excessive stress and allowing for height reduction without structural compromise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the upper wall of the receptacle is thinned to reduce the height of the connector, then the connector height is reduced, but the upper wall may crack or break when tensile force acts on the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall of the receptacle is segmented into multiple functional regions: an engaging groove portion formed by recessing the inner surface to receive engaging projections, and a mounting groove portion formed by recessing the outer surface to receive fixing members. This segmentation allows the thin upper wall to be supported by these recessed structures, distributing tensile forces and preventing cracking while maintaining reduced height.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging groove is formed by recessing the inner surface of the side wall, creating a three-dimensional structural feature within the side wall thickness. This dimensional change allows the formation of engagement structures without increasing the overall connector height, as the engaging groove utilizes the existing side wall volume rather than adding external height.
2Strength
If board fixing portions bulge out sideways to fix the receptacle to a circuit board, then the connector can be securely fixed, but the installation space on the circuit board is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall of the receptacle is asymmetrically recessed to form the engaging groove on the inner surface and mounting groove on the outer surface. This asymmetric design allows the fixing structure to be integrated into the side wall profile without bulging outward, enabling secure mounting to the circuit board while maintaining a compact footprint that does not enlarge the installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting groove is formed by recessing the outer surface of the side wall, creating a nested structure where the fixing member can be mounted within the side wall profile. This nesting approach allows the fixing function to be integrated within the existing connector boundaries rather than requiring external protrusions, thereby reducing the installation space on the circuit board.
3Reliability
If engaging grooves are formed by recessing the inner surface of the side wall, then tensile forces are resisted without rolling up, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging groove and mounting groove are both formed by recessing operations on the side wall of the receptacle. By merging these two functional grooves into a single recessing process that creates both inner and outer surface features, the manufacturing complexity is reduced compared to forming them as separate structures. This combined approach allows both grooves to be created in one molding or machining operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The side wall of the receptacle is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support, forms the engaging groove for tensile force resistance, and forms the mounting groove for fixing member attachment. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single recessed structure that simultaneously creates both grooves, eliminating the need for separate components or additional manufacturing steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to prevent a receptacle from being rolled up without enlarging a circuit board connector. A male connector M is provided with a receptacle 10 in the form of a rectangular tube, and a female connector F is provided with a housing 40 fittable into the receptacle 10 from front. Mounting grooves 18 are formed by recessing both side walls 16 of the receptacle 10, fixing members 30 are mounted into these mounting grooves 18. The fixing members 30 are fixed to a circuit board 80 by soldering. A pair of left and right engaging projections 49 bulge out sideways from the opposite side surfaces of the housing 40. Engaging grooves 19 engageable with the engaging projections 49 as the two connectors F, M are connected to resist a tensile force acting when the housing 40 is pulled in a direction away from the circuit board 80 are formed by recessing the inner side surfaces of the both side walls 16 of the receptacle 10 at positions before the mounting grooves 18.