Electrical Connector Terminal Latching for Multi-Arm Contact Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in securely fixing unified contacts with six or more spring arms due to insufficient fixation by two barbs, especially when transmitting high-frequency signals or large currents.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes terminals with transverse beams, upper and lower elastic arms, and bridge portions that form latching grooves, secured by latching blocks in the insulating housing, ensuring stable fixation and improved contact performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If unified contact has six or more spring arms for high frequency or large current transmission, then the transmitting capability is improved, but the fixation reliability deteriorates due to insufficient barbs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the fixation function into multiple segments: the bridge portion is segmented into multiple latching grooves (first, second, third latching grooves), and the insulating housing has corresponding segmented latching blocks. This segmentation allows multiple fixation points to securely hold the unified contact with six or more spring arms, resolving the contradiction between increased transmitting capability and maintained fixation reliability.
2Device complexity
If two barbs are used for fixing unified contact, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fixation capability becomes insufficient for unified contacts with six or more spring arms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a simple two-point fixation system (two barbs) to a multi-dimensional fixation system using the bridge portion's latching grooves that engage with latching blocks in multiple locations. The bridge portion extends across multiple terminals and creates fixation points in different spatial dimensions, thereby increasing fixation capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 enhances the stability and contact performance of terminals, particularly for high-frequency and large current transmission, by providing secure fixation and reduced impedance through elastic arms and latching mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
Each upper elastic arm comprises an upper slanting portion and an upper contacting portion
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing and at least one terminal component retained in the insulating housing, wherein the at least one terminal component includes plural terminals arranged side by side in a transverse direction and a bridge portion connecting every two adjacent terminals, each terminal includes a transverse beam, plural upper elastic arms extending from the transverse beam upwardly, and two strip connecting portions at two ends of the transverse beam respectively, each upper elastic arm includes an upper slating portion and an upper contacting portion, the bridge portion connects two adjacent strip connecting portions of two adjacent terminals to form a latching groove therebetween, and the insulating housing has plural latching blocks received and latched in corresponding latching grooves.