Elastic-Arm PCB Connector for Movable Shelf Contact Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connection systems in household appliances, such as refrigerators, require a separate connector on movable shelves, increasing costs and risking damage during insertion, leading to potential electrical connection failures.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves mounting connectors on the circuit board, arranged in a column, with elastic arms extending to make contact with electrical contact pads on movable shelves, eliminating the need for a separate connector on the shelves and ensuring reliable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector is provided on the movable shelf to enable electrical connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but the cost increases and the connector may be damaged during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the connector on the movable shelf as in prior art, the patent inverts the configuration by placing the connector with elastic arms on the fixed circuit board. The movable shelf now only needs simple electrical contact pads, reversing which component carries the complex connector structure and resolving both the damage risk and cost issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the connector structure from the movable shelf and relocates it to the fixed circuit board. This separation allows the movable shelf to be simplified to just contact pads, while the connector with elastic arms remains stationary, eliminating the risk of connector damage during shelf insertion.
2Reliability
If a connector is provided on the movable shelf, then electrical connection is enabled, but the cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The connector structure is extracted from the movable shelf and placed on the fixed circuit board. This reduces the manufacturing complexity and cost of the movable shelf, as it only requires simple contact pads instead of a full connector assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable shelf uses simple, inexpensive electrical contact pads instead of expensive connectors. The more durable and complex connector structure is placed on the fixed circuit board where it can be better protected and is not subject to repeated insertion and removal.
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 costs by eliminating the need for additional connectors on shelves, enhances reliability by avoiding damage during insertion, and simplifies the connection process while maintaining effective electrical contact.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic arm that extends from a second face which is perpendicular to the first face
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical connection assembly, comprising: a circuit board (20); and at least one connector (10) mounted on the circuit board (20). Each connector (10) comprises a housing (100) and at least one contact (200) received in the housing (100). Each contact (200) comprises: an elastic arm (220) extending out from a first surface (101) of the housing (100) to make electrical contact with an electrical contact pad (31) formed on a moving bracket (30) or item; and a connection pin (230) extending out from a side face (102) of the housing (100) to electrically connect with the circuit board (20). With the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a connector on the moving bracket (30) or item. Therefore, the present invention reduces cost, and is very convenient to use.