Electrical Contact Structure With Deformation-Limiting Elastic Pieces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact assemblies suffer from excessive deformation of elastic piece portions when inserting a counterpart contact, impairing functionality.
Innovation Solution
A contact design featuring a hollow box-shaped main body with cantilevered elastic piece portions and restricting portions that include grooves and protrusions to limit excessive deformation during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastic piece portions are made more flexible to improve contact reliability, then the contact reliability is improved, but the elastic piece portions become prone to excessive deformation when the counterpart contact is inserted slantwise
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic piece portions are divided into multiple segments (first elastic piece portion, second elastic piece portion, third elastic piece portion) with different structural characteristics. Each segment can deform independently to some extent, allowing the overall structure to absorb insertion misalignment while maintaining reliable contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the elastic piece portions have different structural properties. The base ring provides rigid support, while the tongue portions provide elastic deformation capability. The restricting portions are strategically placed to control deformation at critical locations while allowing flexibility where needed.
2Ease of operation
If the tongue portions are made longer to improve insertion guidance, then the insertion guidance is improved, but the tongue portions are more prone to excessive deformation when inserted slantwise
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic piece portions are divided into multiple segments (first elastic piece portion, second elastic piece portion, third elastic piece portion) with different structural characteristics. Each segment can deform independently to some extent, allowing the overall structure to absorb insertion misalignment while maintaining reliable contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic piece portions extend in multiple directions (inward slantwise, outward slantwise, laterally outward) rather than in a single direction. This multi-dimensional arrangement provides insertion guidance from multiple angles while distributing deformation stresses across different spatial dimensions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the restricting portions are made more restrictive to prevent excessive deformation, then the deformation control is improved, but the contact pressure may be insufficient for reliable electrical connection
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the elastic piece portions have different structural properties. The base ring provides rigid support, while the tongue portions provide elastic deformation capability. The restricting portions are strategically placed to control deformation at critical locations while allowing flexibility where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic piece portions are designed to be dynamically responsive to insertion forces. They can deform within controlled limits to accommodate insertion variations, then maintain sufficient contact pressure for reliable electrical connection. The restricting portions provide dynamic constraint rather than rigid fixation.
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
Prevents excessive deformation of elastic piece portions, ensuring stable and reliable connection of the counterpart contact.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of cantilevered elastic piece portions provided in an inward slantwise extending manner in the insertion direction from a pair of opposed edge portions of the insertion opening into the main body portion
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A contact (1; 1P; 1Q; 1S) includes a hollow box-shaped main body portion (10; 10P; 10Q) into which a plate-shaped counterpart contact (112) is inserted in an insertion direction (X1). A pair of inward slantwise elastic piece portions (20, 30; 20P, 30P; 20Q, 30Q) are provided in a manner extending in the insertion direction (X1) from a pair of opposed edge portions (10b, 10c) of the insertion opening (10a) of the main body portion (10; 10P; 10Q) into the main body portion (10; 10P; 10Q). The pair of elastic piece portions (20, 30; 20P, 30P; 20Q, 30Q) have contact portions (23, 33) arranged in mutually proximal portions. A pair of restricting portions (R, R; 15, 16; 17, 18; 50, 60) provided on the main body portion (10; 10P; 10Q) are arranged to restrict the amount of deformation of the pair of elastic piece portions (20, 30; 20P, 30P; 20Q, 30Q) when the counterpart contact (112) is inserted.