Electrical Connector Support Structure to Prevent PCB Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors used in surface mounting technology often tilt forward due to lack of balance, requiring additional supporting elements to prevent falling, especially after repeated plugging and unplugging.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a supporting portion formed by a metal housing and insulating body, with first and second metal pins soldered to the circuit board, and a supporting structure that forms a triangular configuration with the pins to stabilize the connector on the board, preventing tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional supporting elements are added to the back end of the housing, then the electrical connector can be supported on the circuit board, but the electrical connector still tilts forward after repeated plugging and unplugging due to lack of support at the front end
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is divided into multiple discrete supporting elements distributed at different positions (front end, rear end, and sides) of the electrical connector. Each supporting element independently provides support at its location, collectively achieving stable support across the entire connector without requiring a complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple supporting elements (front supporting element, rear supporting element, and side supporting elements) are combined to work together as an integrated support system. The first and second supporting elements at the front end work in conjunction with each other and with the rear supporting element to provide comprehensive support, preventing both backward and forward tilting.
2Reliability
If additional supporting elements are added to prevent the electrical connector from falling over, then the connector can be supported, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Supporting elements are strategically placed at specific locations where support is most needed: the front end (first and second supporting elements) to prevent forward tilting, the rear end (rear supporting element) to prevent backward tilting, and the sides (third and fourth supporting elements) to prevent lateral movement. This localized approach provides maximum reliability with minimal structural complexity.
3Device complexity
If the electrical connector structure is simplified without additional supporting elements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the connector becomes unstable and tilts forward after repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting elements are asymmetrically distributed according to the specific support needs of the connector. The first and second supporting elements are positioned at the front end away from the circuit board, while the rear supporting element is positioned at the rear end closer to the circuit board. This asymmetric arrangement provides optimal stability with minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector configured to be assembled to a circuit board is provided. The electrical connector includes an insulating body having a base and a tongue, a plurality of terminals disposed in the insulating body, a first metal shell covering the insulating body, and a second metal shell covering the insulating body and the first metal shell. The first metal shell has a plurality of soldering feet soldered to the circuit board, and the second metal shell has a plurality of second metal pin soldered to the circuit board. The first and the second metal pin are beside the base and away from the tongue. At least one of the first metal shell and the insulating body has a supporting portion abutting against a non-conducting portion of the circuit board. The supporting portion is close to the tongue and away from the base.