Electric Connector Terminal Layout for Higher Pin Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric connectors face challenges in increasing the number of terminal pins without enlarging the connector size, which is necessary for higher density electronic component mounting and handling multiple data types.
Innovation Solution
The electric connector design includes a combination of first and second terminals, where the first terminals extend in the short-side direction and the second terminals extend in the long-side direction, allowing for pairs of first terminals to be arranged along the long-side direction and pairs of second terminals to be positioned between the first terminals and the housing wall portions, effectively increasing the number of terminal pins without increasing the connector size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the connector size is increased to accommodate more terminal pins, then the number of terminal pins increases, but the connector size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-direction terminal arrangement to a two-dimensional layout where terminals are arranged both along the long-side direction and the short-side direction. Specifically, multiple pairs of first terminals are arranged along the long-side direction, while pairs of second terminals are positioned between these first terminals in the short-side direction, effectively utilizing the connector's cross-sectional area to increase terminal density without expanding the overall connector footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure is segmented into two distinct types: first terminals that extend in the short-side direction and form pairs arranged along the long-side direction, and second terminals that extend in the long-side direction and are positioned between the first terminals. This segmentation allows for optimized spatial utilization of different terminal orientations, enabling higher terminal pin density within the same connector area.
2Quantity of substance
If pairs of first terminals are arranged along the long-side direction, then the number of terminal pins increases, but the space between wall portions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging all terminals in a single line along the long-side direction, the patent utilizes the short-side direction as an additional dimension. Pairs of second terminals are positioned between the first terminals in the short-side direction, effectively filling the two-dimensional space between the wall portions and increasing terminal capacity without further reducing the available space.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the connector interior are assigned different terminal types based on local space characteristics. First terminals are placed in regions where they can extend in the short-side direction, while second terminals are positioned in regions between the first terminals where they can extend in the long-side direction. This local optimization of terminal placement maximizes the utilization of available space between wall portions.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electric connector including a first terminal; a second terminal; and a housing, in which the first terminal extends in a short-side direction, and the second terminal extends in a long-side direction; a pair of the first terminals is provided so as to face each other in the short-side direction and the pairs of the first terminals are arranged along the long-side direction; a pair of the second terminals is provided so as to face each other in the long-side direction; the housing has a pair of wall portions, and the pair of wall portions holds the pairs of the first terminals; and the pair of the second terminals is provided between the pairs of the first terminals and between the pair of wall portions in the short-side direction, and is provided so as to sandwich the pairs of the first terminals in the long-side direction.