Connector Terminal Contact Point Segmentation for Resistance Variance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector terminals experience variance in contact resistance among contact points, leading to local heat generation due to uneven loads on elongate convex contact portions.
Innovation Solution
A connector terminal design featuring top and bottom contact points that are not aligned in a straight line, with the center of gravity of the top and bottom contact points coinciding, ensuring balanced loads and reduced variance in contact resistance by using dome-shaped contact points and spring portions for point contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elongate convex contact portions are used in a conventional connector terminal, then the contact points can establish electric connection with the counter connector terminal, but the contact resistance varies among contact points causing local heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portions are segmented into multiple discrete contact points (first contact point, second contact point, third contact point) arranged at specific positions. Each contact point is independently positioned to ensure uniform load distribution, preventing concentration of stress and heat at single locations. This segmentation allows the connector to maintain reliable electric connection while avoiding the heat generation problem of conventional elongate contact portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact points are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connector terminal. The first contact point is positioned at a first position, the second contact point at a second position, and the third contact point at a third position, where these positions are not symmetrically distributed. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the load distribution across contact points, ensuring uniform contact resistance and preventing local heat generation while maintaining stable electric connection.
2Reliability
If contact points are arranged to ensure stable electric connection, then reliability improves, but uneven load distribution causes variance in contact resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The contact points are positioned such that they experience approximately equal load when the connector terminal is assembled with the counter connector terminal. The first contact point at the first position, second contact point at the second position, and third contact point at the third position are arranged to create equipotential conditions for load distribution. This ensures that each contact point bears a similar portion of the total load, minimizing variance in contact resistance and improving manufacturing precision while maintaining reliable electric connection.
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 design achieves balanced loads and minimized variance in contact resistance, preventing local heat generation and enhancing stability and efficiency in electric connections.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient contact piece 3 having two spring portions 20 formed by bending
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 7~9
AI summary
A connector terminal (11) includes two top side contact points each of which makes point contact with a top surface (21A) of a counter connector terminal (21) and three bottom side contact points each of which makes point contact with a bottom surface (21B) of the counter connector terminal (21) and which are not aligned in a straight line, the two top side contact points doing not overlap the three bottom side contact points when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the counter connector terminal in a fitted state, a position of a center of gravity as determined by arrangement positions of the two top side contact points coincides with a position of a center of gravity as determined by arrangement positions of the three bottom side contact points when viewed in the direction perpendicular to the top surface of the counter connector terminal in the fitted state.