Elastic Connector Terminal for Cartridge Positional Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cartridge accommodating apparatuses face challenges in minimizing positional tolerances between circuit board terminals and connector terminals, leading to increased size and cost due to the need for larger connectors and terminals with positional tolerances.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a deformable connector terminal with a supporting part, a first extending part, and a second extending part, allowing for elastic movement to absorb positional tolerances, thereby reducing the overall tolerance requirements and eliminating the need for a separate connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the size of the terminal and connector terminal is increased to accommodate positional tolerances, then the reliability of electrical contact is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact reliabilityVSAvoidconnector size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal is designed with elastic deformability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position within a certain range to accommodate positional tolerances of the circuit board and connector. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable electrical contact without requiring an oversized connector structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the terminal from rigid to elastic by selecting materials with appropriate elastic moduli and designing the terminal geometry to exhibit elastic deformation characteristics. This parameter change enables the terminal to absorb positional variations through elastic displacement rather than requiring increased connector dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the connector is eliminated and direct terminal contact is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector structureVSAvoidterminal positional tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic terminal provides a dynamic compensation mechanism that absorbs manufacturing position variations through elastic deformation. This dynamic behavior effectively reduces the impact of manufacturing precision variations on electrical contact reliability, allowing for relaxed tolerance specifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic terminal acts as a pre-designed cushioning element that anticipates and compensates for manufacturing tolerances before electrical contact is made. The elastic deformation capacity is built into the terminal design to absorb positional variations that would otherwise require tighter manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If expensive conductive materials like gold are used for terminal contact portions, then the electrical conductivity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing conductive material coatings only on specific contact surfaces of the elastic terminal where electrical contact occurs, rather than coating the entire terminal structure. This localized application of expensive conductive materials like gold or copper reduces material costs while maintaining electrical conductivity at the critical contact interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic terminal body is made from cost-effective materials with sufficient electrical conductivity for the application, replacing the need for expensive conductive materials throughout the entire structure. The design accepts that the terminal is a consumable component that can be replaced with the cartridge, eliminating the need for high-cost materials in non-critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 enables a smaller-sized connector terminal while maintaining reliable electrical connection, reducing the total tolerances and costs associated with larger connectors.

Implementation Method 1

a first extending part extending from the supporting part toward the substrate in an extending direction, and attached to the substrate at a distal end of the first extending part in the extending direction, the first extending part being deformable elasticity in a second direction which is along the first surface and which crosses the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10105958B2Cartridge accommodating apparatus and system provided with the same

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

There is provided a cartridge accommodating apparatus configured to accommodate a cartridge having an electrical interface. The cartridge accommodating apparatus includes: a body having a first surface defining an internal space into which the cartridge is installed in a first direction; a substrate; a connector having a terminal and a casing. The terminal is provided with: a supporting part fixed to the casing; a first extending part; a second extending part, and a contact.