Rotatable Connector Terminal Layout for Reflow Warp Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Connectors face reliability issues due to deformation of the housing and circuit board during heat processes, causing separation of leg portions and compromising connection reliability.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a terminal fitting that includes a board connecting portion, a terminal connecting portion, and a shaft portion, where the terminal fitting is supported by a housing with a supporting portion, and has a center of gravity closer to the board connecting portion, ensuring consistent contact with the circuit board even under thermal deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the connector is heated using a heating device such as a reflow furnace, then the housing and circuit board may be deformed to warp due to heat load, but the connection reliability deteriorates as the housing is partially lifted up from the circuit board and the first and second leg portions are separated from the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by positioning the center of gravity of the terminal fitting closer to the board connecting portion than to the shaft portion. This gravitational counterbalance ensures that the board connecting portion maintains contact with the circuit board even when thermal deformation occurs during heating processes, preventing separation and maintaining connection reliability under thermal stress.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the housing and circuit board are deformed due to thermal expansion coefficient difference, then the housing may be partially lifted up from the circuit board, but the adjustment difficulty increases making it impossible to ensure connection reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the self-service principle through the gravitational self-alignment mechanism. The terminal fitting automatically maintains proper contact between the board connecting portion and circuit board through its center of gravity positioning, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex alignment mechanisms. The system self-corrects for thermal deformation without requiring external intervention, thereby maintaining connection reliability while avoiding increased 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
This design maintains connection reliability by allowing the board connecting portion to remain in contact with the circuit board, even during heat-induced deformation, through rotational support and resilient deformation, thus ensuring stable electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
the terminal fitting has a center of gravity on a side closer to the board connecting portion than the shaft portion
Implementation Method 2
Since there is a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the housing and the circuit board, if the housing and the circuit board are deformed
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to provide a connector capable of ensuring connection reliability with a circuit board. A connector includes a housing and a terminal fitting to be disposed in the housing. The terminal fitting includes a terminal connecting portion to be connected to a mating terminal fitting, a board connecting portion to be connected to a circuit board and a shaft portion located between the terminal connecting portion and the board connecting portion. The housing includes a supporting portion for rotatably supporting the terminal fitting by being engaged with the shaft portion. The terminal fitting has a center of gravity on a side closer to the board connecting portion than the shaft portion.