Electrical Connector Terminals with Upward Elastic Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit board electrical connectors increase in size due to the height and thickness requirements for ground members, which limits the spring length of terminals without corresponding increases in size.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates first and second terminals with flexible elastic arm portions that extend upward from the housing, eliminating the need for curved sections and protrusions, allowing for increased spring length within the existing height and thickness dimensions, and includes a pressing member for enhanced contact pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground members include curved sections folded back across the upper end of sidewalls, then ground contact capability is improved, but the height of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the curved section from the ground member structure. Instead of having the ground member fold back across the upper end of the sidewall, the ground member is designed to extend only along the sidewall without the protruding curved portion, thereby removing the source of increased height while maintaining ground contact functionality through alternative positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention repositions the ground member to attach to the outer surface of the sidewall rather than extending into the space above the sidewall. This dimensional change moves the ground contact function from a vertical extension (increasing height) to a lateral attachment (maintaining height), effectively resolving the contradiction between ground contact capability and connector height.
2Manufacturing precision
If ground members have securing sections attached to protruding ground attachment sections, then ground member positioning is improved, but the thickness of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the protruding ground attachment section from the housing structure. By removing this protrusion, the thickness of the connector is reduced while ground member positioning is maintained through alternative attachment mechanisms that do not require external protrusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the ground attachment function directly into the sidewall structure itself, rather than having a separate protruding attachment section. The sidewall is designed to provide both structural support and ground member attachment functionality in a single integrated element, eliminating the need for additional thickness to accommodate separate attachment protrusions.
3Reliability
If terminal receiving grooves extend through the sidewall and holding sections press terminals from the bottom, then terminal holding capability is improved, but the height of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional terminal holding approach by having the terminal extending arm portion press against the conductive member from below rather than having holding sections press the terminal body from the bottom. This inversion allows the terminal to be held securely while the contact point is positioned higher, eliminating the need for extended terminal receiving grooves and reducing overall connector height.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimensional arrangement of the terminal holding mechanism by positioning the terminal extending arm portion to contact the conductive member in a different spatial relationship. Instead of vertical pressing from the bottom, the contact is achieved through the arm portion extending upward to meet the conductive member, thereby reducing the required height of the connector while maintaining holding capability.
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 configuration reduces the overall size of the connector in both height and thickness directions while maintaining sufficient spring length and contact pressure, facilitating easier insertion and preventing permanent deformation of the terminals.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first terminals has a flexible first elastic arm portion. The first elastic arm portion extends upward from the bottom portion... and can elastically contact with the flat conductive member at the first contact section.
Implementation Method 2
The second elastic arm portion extends further than an upper end of the first elastic arm portion... It is preferred that the second contact section is formed at the bent section of the second elastic arm portion.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector to be disposed on a circuit board includes a housing with two sidewalls, a plurality of first terminals, and a plurality of second terminals. The first terminals and the second terminals are attached to the one and the other of the sidewalls, respectively, and are situated near a bottom portion of the housing. The first terminal has a flexible first elastic arm portion. The first elastic arm portion extends upward. The first elastic arm portion has a first contact section that protrudes toward the flat conductive member. The second terminal has a flexible second elastic arm portion. The second elastic arm portion extends upward further than an upper end of the first elastic arm portion. The second elastic arm portion has a second contact section that protrudes towards the flat conductive member at a position above than the upper end of the first elastic arm portion.