Connector Regulating Groove Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector configurations face challenges in preventing slanted installation of contacts within the housing, leading to potential misalignment and instability.
Innovation Solution
A connector configuration featuring a fixing member with a regulating portion that guides along a groove on the case, ensuring proper alignment during installation, and a fixing portion that is securely attached to the substrate, preventing tilting and ensuring a solid connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If contacts are installed into through-holes of housing without regulating portions, then installation process is simple, but slanted installation and misalignment occur
Solution Approach 1:
A regulating portion protruding from the fixing member and a regulating groove formed in the case serve as intermediary guiding elements. The regulating portion fits into the regulating groove to guide the fixing member during installation, ensuring proper alignment and preventing slanted installation without complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function is segmented into separate components: the regulating portion on the fixing member and the regulating groove on the case. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific alignment function while keeping the overall structure simple and modular.
2Reliability
If fixing member is installed without regulation mechanism, then installation is easy, but tilted installation cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating portion and regulating groove act as guiding intermediaries that passively guide the fixing member into the correct position during installation. This provides reliable alignment without requiring complex active regulation mechanisms, maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating groove is pre-formed in the case and the regulating portion is pre-formed on the fixing member before installation. These preliminary structures automatically guide the fixing member into the correct position during installation, ensuring reliable alignment without requiring additional adjustment steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If regulating portion protrudes from fixing member, then tilting can be controlled in multiple directions, but fixing member complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating portion is designed with an asymmetric profile that matches the asymmetric regulating groove in the case. This asymmetric design allows the regulating portion to control tilting in multiple directions by fitting into the specifically shaped groove, providing comprehensive alignment control without requiring multiple separate regulating components.
Data Source
AI summary
This connector configuration comprises: a fixing member that is a component of a connector and is fixed to a substrate in order to mount the connector onto the substrate; a case that is a component of the connector and has an installation groove formed thereon, into which the fixing member is installed; and a regulating portion provided at either one of the fixing member and the case along the direction of installation of the fixing member to the case. A regulating groove is provided along the direction of installation on the other one of the fixing member and the case, and when the fixing member is installed onto the case, the regulating portion is guided along the regulating groove and tilting of the fixing member relative to the direction of installation is controlled.