Connector With Segmented Movable Contact For Misalignment Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face challenges in absorbing misalignment and inclination of mating connectors without increasing the connector's size, as they require larger dimensions to accommodate deformation for inclination absorption.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a movable housing with resiliently deformable spring parts and gripping sections that allow for independent movement of contact points, enabling absorption of misalignment and inclination while maintaining a compact size by positioning contact points between joining sections and utilizing a protruding portion for busbar alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the connector allows inclination of the mating connector by deformation of the movable-side contact, then misalignment and inclination can be absorbed, but the size of the connector must become larger
Solution Approach 1:
The movable contact is divided into multiple independent contact portions (first contact portion, second contact portion, third contact portion) that can deform independently. This segmentation allows each portion to absorb misalignment and inclination separately, achieving adaptability without requiring a large overall connector size.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable contact is designed with resilient properties, allowing it to dynamically deform and return to its original position. This dynamic capability enables the contact to absorb misalignment and inclination during mating while maintaining a compact connector structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contact points are positioned to allow greater movement for inclination absorption, then misalignment can be absorbed, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient deformation is concentrated at specific locations (spring parts) rather than requiring uniform movement throughout the entire contact structure. This localized deformation approach allows contact points to absorb misalignment effectively while minimizing the overall connector dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector allows movement in multiple directions (up-down direction for housing movement, front-rear direction for contact point adjustment). This multi-dimensional movement capability enables effective misalignment absorption within a compact space by utilizing spatial efficiency.
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
The connector effectively absorbs misalignment and inclination of busbars with minimal movement of contact points, reducing the spatial requirements and downsizing the connector while ensuring a secure and stable connection.
Implementation Method 1
The upper-side spring part is resiliently deformable. The lower-side spring part is resiliently deformable.
Implementation Method 2
The upper-side spring part supports the upper-side contact points and the upper-side gripping section. The lower-side spring part supports the lower-side contact points and the lower-side gripping section.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector that can accommodate displacement and tilting at the time of fitting into a counterpart connector and that can avoid an increase in the size of the connector is provided. A movable contact of a connector has: upper-side contact points; lower-side contact points; upper-side gripping sections; lower-side gripping sections; an upper-side spring part; a lower-side spring part; and two joining sections. The upper-side contact points and the lower-side contact points can move independently of each other due to elastic deformation of the upper-side spring part and the lower-side spring part. An upper-side second width of the upper-side spring part at a second position is smaller than an upper-side first width of the upper-side spring part at a first position. A lower-side second width of the lower-side spring part at the second position is smaller than a first lower-side width of the lower-side spring part at the first position.