Elastic Arm Connector with Wedge Channel for Conductor Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with a metal contact fail to reliably hold a conductor due to insufficient clamping force, often requiring soldering to prevent detachment, limiting their reusability.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a pair of elastic arms with a first and second release structure forming a wedge channel, allowing for a strong clamping force and easy release of the conductor using an external tool, enabling secure electrical contact without soldering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a metal contact is used to clamp a conductor, then the connector structure is simplified and cost is reduced, but the clamping force is insufficient causing the conductor to easily detach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating elastic arms that can dynamically adjust their clamping force. The elastic arms are designed to flex and apply continuous pressure on the conductor, maintaining reliable electrical contact without requiring complex mechanical fastening mechanisms. This dynamic elasticity resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient clamping force through material properties rather than structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the physical properties of the contact elements. Specifically, the elastic arms are designed with specific material composition, thickness, and curvature parameters that enable them to generate adequate clamping force. By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves reliable conductor holding with a simple metal contact structure, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
2Reliability
If soldering is used to prevent conductor detachment, then the conductor holding reliability is improved, but the connector cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic arms provide a dynamic, reversible clamping mechanism that maintains reliable conductor holding without permanent attachment. The elastic deformation allows the arms to flex during insertion and maintain continuous pressure, yet return to their original state for reuse. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by achieving reliability through elastic force rather than permanent soldering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the discarding and recovering principle by designing the elastic arms to temporarily deform during the clamping process and then recover their original shape. This recovery capability enables the connector to be reused multiple times while maintaining reliable conductor holding throughout its service life, resolving the contradiction between reliability and reusability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple metal contact is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the clamping force is too small to reliably hold the conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the physical dimensions and material properties of the elastic arms. By carefully selecting parameters such as arm thickness, length, curvature radius, and material elastic modulus, the patent enables simple metal contacts to generate sufficient clamping force. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by achieving adequate force with simple, easy-to-manufacture components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dynamics by designing elastic arms that leverage elastic deformation to amplify clamping force. The dynamic elastic response allows the arms to apply concentrated force on the conductor during insertion and maintain continuous pressure, achieving high clamping force with simple structures that are easy to manufacture.
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
The connector provides a reliable clamping force to securely hold conductors without soldering, allowing for easy release and reuse, enhancing operational convenience and reducing the risk of conductor detachment.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of elastic arms adapted to clamp a conductor of a wire
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A connector includes only a contact made of metal, which comprises a pair of elastic arms adapted to clamp a conductor of a wire, so as to electrically contact the conductor. A first release structure is formed on one of the pair of elastic arms, and a second release structure facing the first release structure is formed on the other of the pair of elastic arms. A wedge channel is defined between the first release structure and the second release structure when the conductor is clamped between the pair of elastic arms, and the wedge channel is gradually widened toward free ends of the pair of elastic arms. The pair of elastic arms are adapted to be expanded far away from each other by inserting an external tool into the wedge channel, so as to release the clamped conductor, improving the use convenience of the connector.