Contact Pin Locking Structure for Misalignment-Resistant Connectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors lack sufficient locking force to prevent contact pins from shifting or being removed from the housing, especially when subjected to strong forces or misalignment with mating connectors.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a contact pin with protruding portions and a housing with pressing ribs that elastically deform to enhance locking, using a metallic shell to secure the contact pin within the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only protruding portions of the contact pin contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, then the structure is simple, but the locking force is insufficient to prevent contact pin removal or shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple functional components: the insertion hole for basic insertion, pressing ribs for enhanced locking, and the cylindrical portion for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to provide sufficient locking force.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing ribs act as intermediary elements between the contact pin and the housing structure. When the cylindrical portion is pressed, the pressing ribs transmit this force to the contact pin, providing enhanced locking without requiring direct complex interaction between the contact pin and housing walls.
2Reliability
If strong force is applied to the contact pin from the front side, then the electrical connection may be maintained, but the contact pin shifts or is removed from the housing due to insufficient locking
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing ribs are pre-positioned on the housing to contact the contact pin before any removal force is applied. When the cylindrical portion is pressed during assembly, the pressing ribs are pre-loaded against the contact pin, creating preliminary locking force that resists subsequent removal or shifting attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical portion of the housing provides a curved, uniform pressing surface that distributes force evenly around the contact pin. This cylindrical geometry ensures consistent radial pressure on the pressing ribs, creating uniform locking force in all directions to prevent contact pin removal or shifting.
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 significantly increases the locking force, effectively preventing the contact pin from shifting or being removed, ensuring stable connections even under strong forces or misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the cylindrical portion of the at least one housing where the at least one pressing rib is formed is elastically deformed toward the inner side and is pressed against the at least one protruding portion of the at least one contact pin to lock the at least one contact pin in the at least one housing
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes at least one contact pin, and at least one insulating housing for containing the at least one contact pin therein. The at least one contact pin includes a horizontally extending portion, at least one protruding portion extending from a side portion of the horizontally extending portion in the at least one housing in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion and extraction direction of the mating connector. The at least one housing includes a cylindrical portion and at least one pressing rib formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and formed at a position corresponding to the at least one protruding portion of the at least one contact pin.