Electrical Connector Rotation Prevention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors for connecting cables to a print circuit board suffer from rotational moment-induced deformation, leading to poor electrical connections and increased mounting height, as the receptacle connector's contact portions can rotate and damage solder connections.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a housing with a terminal member and a shell member that absorbs rotational moments through a rotation preventing portion and shell receiving portion, preventing the terminal member from rotating and ensuring secure connection to the wiring portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug connector is connected to the receptacle connector by inserting the plug protruding portion into the receptacle connector side space, then electrical connection is achieved, but rotational moment is generated causing the receptacle connector side contact portions to rotate and potentially damage solder connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the contact portion with a rotational prevention structure that counteracts the rotational moment before it can cause damage. The contact portion includes a protrusion that engages with a corresponding recess in the solder connection, creating a pre-established mechanical constraint that prevents rotation during connector assembly and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary mechanical structure (the rotational prevention protrusion and recess combination) between the plug connector and the solder connection. This intermediary element absorbs and transfers the rotational moment forces, preventing them from reaching the vulnerable solder joints while still allowing proper electrical contact.
2Strength
If the receptacle connector side contact portions are allowed to deform upwardly during connection, then contact force is achieved, but the connector deforms in the height direction increasing the entire mounting height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contact portion into distinct functional zones: a deformation allowance region that provides necessary contact force, and a constrained region (the rotational prevention protrusion) that limits height direction deformation. This segmentation allows the contact portion to exert sufficient force while preventing excessive upward deformation that would increase mounting height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the deformation parameters of the contact portion by designing the protrusion geometry and material properties. The contact portion is engineered to deform within a specific range that provides adequate contact force while the rotational prevention structure prevents deformation beyond a threshold that would increase the mounting height.
3Volume of moving object
If the connector is designed with a reduced size or thickness, then device miniaturization is achieved, but the rotational moment has a greater relative impact on the contact portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material design in the contact portion, combining materials with different mechanical properties. The contact portion uses a material or structure that provides both flexibility for deformation (to maintain contact force in thin connectors) and sufficient rigidity to resist rotational moments, achieving miniaturization without sacrificing stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector is configured to be mounted on a board. The electrical connector includes a housing having a receptacle opening portion for receiving a mating connector; a terminal member disposed in the housing; and a shell member for covering the housing. The terminal member includes a base portion fixed to the housing, an arm portion extending from the base portion toward the receptacle opening portion, a contact portion disposed at a distal end portion of the arm portion, a board connecting portion, and a rotation preventing portion extending from the board connecting portion toward the receptacle opening portion. The shell member includes a shell receiving portion extending toward the base portion. The housing includes an insertion portion disposed between the rotation preventing portion and the shell receiving portion.