Electrical Connector Stepped Latching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors are prone to poor contact and disconnection when subjected to unexpected pulling forces due to reliance on frictional forces, which can exceed the connector's holding capacity, leading to displacement and separation of contact sections.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector features terminals with a step-shaped latching section that securely engages with the mating contact section, providing additional resistance against pulling forces by utilizing a step shape recess and tapered surfaces to maintain contact pressure and prevent disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flat contact section enters a groove section of a mating terminal relying on frictional force, then the connector can be assembled easily, but the contact section may displace or separate when subjected to pulling-out force
Solution Approach 1:
The contact section is divided into two functional parts: a flat contact surface for easy insertion and a stepped latching section for secure holding. The stepped structure creates distinct zones - a first stepped portion that engages with the mating terminal's groove and a second stepped portion that provides mechanical interlocking, thereby separating the insertion function from the retention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact section transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional stepped structure. The stepped portions extend in the thickness direction of the sheet metal, creating vertical engagement surfaces that provide mechanical interlocking in addition to the horizontal frictional contact, thus adding a dimensional aspect to the connection mechanism.
2Device complexity
If the contact section relies only on frictional force to resist pulling-out force, then the structure remains simple, but the holding force is insufficient when pulling-out force exceeds frictional force
Solution Approach 1:
The contact section is divided into two functional parts: a flat contact surface for easy insertion and a stepped latching section for secure holding. The stepped structure creates distinct zones - a first stepped portion that engages with the mating terminal's groove and a second stepped portion that provides mechanical interlocking, thereby separating the insertion function from the retention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact section transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional stepped structure. The stepped portions extend in the thickness direction of the sheet metal, creating vertical engagement surfaces that provide mechanical interlocking in addition to the horizontal frictional contact, thus adding a dimensional aspect to the connection mechanism.
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 effectively prevents the electrical connector from being pulled out unexpectedly, ensuring secure contact even under increased pulling forces by leveraging the latching mechanism to maintain contact pressure and resist displacement.
Implementation Method 1
when the connector receives an unexpected force in a pulling-out direction, the contact section of the terminal receives the force only through a frictional force between the contact section and the mating contact section
Implementation Method 2
Once the flat contact section enters the groove section of the mating contact section, the groove section elastically deforms to increase a groove width thereof. Accordingly, the groove section contacts with the contact section with a contact force obtained through an elastic force thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a housing and a plurality of terminals. Each of the terminals is formed of a sheet metal and held by the housing. Each of the terminals has a contact section to contact with a mating terminal and a connecting section to be connected to a circuit board each forming a continuous flat sheet surface. The contact section has a contact surface that slidably contacts with the mating terminal so as to extend in a connector fitting direction, and the plurality of terminals is arranged so that adjacent terminals have the contact surfaces parallel to each other.