Dual-Point Connector Contact for Low Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors experience high insertion and removal forces due to the large displacement of mating terminals, leading to potential plastic deformation and damage, especially when the mating terminal shifts due to tolerance issues.
Innovation Solution
The connector design features two contact points supported by resiliently deformable arms, allowing for a soft spring mechanism that reduces the insertion and removal forces by enabling the whole contact portion to be movable, with each contact point supported by a separate support portion to maintain stable contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the second contact point is supported by a hard spring with limited movement, then the contact stability is improved, but the insertion force and removal force become excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the contact portion dynamically movable by supporting it on a resiliently deformable arm, allowing the contact points to adjust their position dynamically. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain contact stability while accommodating positional shifts without generating excessive insertion or removal forces, as the contact portion can flexibly adapt to tolerance variations in the mating terminal position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spring characteristic parameter from hard (limited movement) to soft (long spring length, highly movable) for the support of the contact portion. This parameter change allows the second contact point to move more freely, reducing the insertion and removal forces while maintaining stable contact through the combined support of both contact points on the flexible arm.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mating terminal position shifts due to tolerance, then the adaptability is improved, but the insertion force and removal force become excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The resiliently deformable arm provides dynamic adaptability to positional shifts by allowing the contact portion to move and adjust its configuration. This dynamic structure absorbs tolerance variations in the mating terminal position without transmitting large forces, thereby maintaining low insertion and removal forces while improving adaptability to positional deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft spring support acts as a cushioning mechanism that anticipates and absorbs the effects of positional tolerance shifts before they can generate large forces. By providing a compliant support structure, the invention preemptively mitigates the force amplification that would occur with rigid or hard spring supports, allowing the connector to accommodate positional variations smoothly.
3Device complexity
If the contact portion is fixed, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the terminal may be plastically deformed or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamically movable contact portion supported on a resiliently deformable arm, replacing a fixed structure. This dynamic element absorbs excessive forces through elastic deformation, preventing plastic deformation of the terminal and damage to the fixed portion while maintaining relatively simple overall structure. The movement capability provides a passive protection mechanism against force-induced damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft spring support serves as a cushioning mechanism that protects the terminal and fixed portion from damage by absorbing impact forces and reducing peak loads. This preemptive cushioning prevents the transmission of excessively large forces to the terminal and fixed portion, thereby preventing plastic deformation and damage while adding minimal structural 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 effectively reduces the insertion and removal forces, preventing plastic deformation and damage while ensuring stable contact with the mating terminal, even with positional displacements.
Implementation Method 1
the contact portion is supported by the resiliently deformable arm so that the whole contact portion is movable
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector is mateable with a mating connector. The connector comprises a housing and a terminal. The terminal has an arm, a contact portion and a held portion held by a holding portion of the housing. The arm couples the held portion and the contact portion to each other and supports the contact portion so that the contact portion is movable. The contact portion has a bottom portion, a first support portion, a second support portion, a first contact point and a second contact point. Each of the first support portion and the second support portion extends upward from the bottom portion. The first contact point is supported by the first support portion. The second contact point is supported by the second support portion. Under a mated state, a mating terminal of the mating connector is sandwiched and held between the first contact point and the second contact point.