Electrical Connector With Dual IDC And Spring Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors lack versatility as they are designed to engage only one type of electrical component, requiring multiple types of connectors for different systems, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector with a single or multiple interfaces capable of engaging multiple types of electrical components, including circuit boards and wire conductors, using a combination of insulation displacement contacts (IDCs) and spring members to facilitate secure connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical connectors are designed to engage only one type of electrical component, then the connection reliability for that specific component type is improved, but the adapter versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is designed with multiple engagement portions, each capable of engaging different types of electrical components. The first engagement portion includes an IDC channel for wire conductors, while the second engagement portion includes a spring member for circuit boards. This multi-functional design allows a single connector to reliably connect different component types without sacrificing connection reliability for any specific type.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contact is divided into distinct engagement portions with specialized features for different component types. The contact body is segmented into a first engagement portion with IDC channel geometry and a second engagement portion with spring member geometry, allowing each segment to optimize its engagement mechanism for its specific component type while being part of a unified connector.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of electrical connectors are purchased for different components, then the adaptability to different components is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single electrical contact design incorporates multiple engagement portions that can connect to different component types (wire conductors via IDC channel, circuit boards via spring member). This universal design eliminates the need for manufacturers to purchase and manage multiple different connector types, reducing device complexity and inventory requirements while maintaining adaptability to various components.
3Device complexity
If a single connector is used for multiple component types, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different engagement portions of the electrical contact are designed with locally optimized geometries and material properties suited to their specific function. The IDC channel portion has precise dimensional tolerances for wire engagement, while the spring member portion has optimized elasticity and contact pressure characteristics for board engagement. This local quality approach allows each portion to meet its specific manufacturing precision requirements without compromising the overall simplicity of using a single connector type.
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
Enables efficient transmission of data signals or power between various electrical components using a single connector, reducing the need for multiple types of connectors and enhancing system flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The spring member extends into the board-receiving slot to engage the circuit board
Implementation Method 2
an insulation displacement contact (IDC) channel that opens to the wire-receiving slot to receive the wire conductor
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical connector including a connector body having an engagement side and a contact cavity that opens to the engagement side. The contact cavity includes a wire-receiving slot that is shaped to receive a wire conductor and a board-receiving slot that is shaped to receive a circuit board. The electrical connector also includes an electrical contact held by the connector body within the contact cavity. The electrical contact includes a spring member and an insulation displacement contact (IDC) channel. The spring member extends into the board-receiving slot to engage the circuit board. The IDC channel opens to the wire-receiving slot to receive the wire conductor.