Electrical Connector Attachment Strength via Shared Land
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for circuit boards require increased space due to the placement of attachment legs for reinforcing fittings, which are spaced away from terminal through-holes, leading to larger connector sizes and land-free zones on the circuit board.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design integrates non-signal terminals and reinforcing fittings with connecting legs and attachment legs adjacent to each other within a single common through-hole, solder-connected to a single common land on the circuit board, minimizing the area required for land formation and enhancing attachment strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If attachment legs of reinforcing fittings are disposed at locations spaced away from terminal through-holes, then attachment strength is improved, but connector size and land formation area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment legs of reinforcing fittings with the connecting legs of non-signal terminals, positioning them adjacent to each other within a single common through-hole. This allows both to be solder-connected to a single common land, eliminating the need for separate spaced-apart attachment legs and reducing the land formation area while maintaining attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The single common land serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection for both the connecting legs of non-signal terminals and the attachment legs of reinforcing fittings, while also serving as a structural anchor point. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of lands required on the circuit board.
2Strength
If multiple lands are formed at mutually spaced locations, then attachment strength is improved, but the extent of area necessary for land formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple attachment functions into a single land structure. Instead of forming multiple separate lands at spaced locations, both the connecting legs and attachment legs are solder-connected to one common land, simplifying the land formation process and reducing circuit board complexity.
3Strength
If connector size is increased to accommodate spaced attachment legs, then attachment strength is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reinforcing fittings and non-signal terminals into a compact configuration where their legs share common through-holes and a common land. This merging eliminates the need for additional spaced attachment legs, preventing connector size expansion while maintaining the attachment strength provided by the reinforcing fittings.
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 configuration results in a more compact connector with improved attachment strength, capable of counteracting external forces during plugging and unplugging, without increasing the land formation area on the circuit board.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting legs of the non-signal terminals and the attachment legs of the reinforcing fittings are adjacent to each other in the array direction within a single common through-hole provided in a common land formed on the circuit board and are solder-connected to said land
Data Source
AI summary
A housing of an electrically insulating material, signal terminals and non-signal terminals used as at least one of ground terminals and power supply terminals which are made of a metallic material and retained within the housing, and reinforcing fittings attached to the housing, wherein the non-signal terminals are located outside the array range of the signal terminals, the reinforcing fittings are located adjacent to the non-signal terminals, the non-signal terminals have connecting legs for connection to a circuit board, the reinforcing fittings have attachment legs for attachment to the circuit board P, and the connecting legs of the non-signal terminals and the attachment legs of the reinforcing fittings are located adjacent to each other in the array direction of the signal terminals within a single through-hole provided in a common land formed on the circuit board and can be solder-connected to said land.