Elastic Screw Connector Structure for Reassemblable Electrical Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing connectors in electronic devices have a small effective contact distance, leading to unreliable visual inspection of screw fastening and potential plastic deformation, making reassembly difficult and compromising electrical contact.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a housing with a metal and polymer portion, including a base, movable, and bending portions, which distributes stress and maintains electrical contact through elastic forces even when the screw is incompletely fastened.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the connector uses a small effective contact distance design, then the connector structure is compact, but the reliability of visual inspection for determining screw fastening is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector structure compactnessVSAvoidvisual inspection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the contact distance in the axial direction (dimensional extension) to provide a sufficient effective contact distance between the screw and connector. This allows visual inspection to reliably determine fastening status while maintaining overall structural compactness through optimized spatial arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the screw is fastened tightly, then electrical contact is secure, but the connector undergoes excessive plastic deformation and cannot be reassembled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact reliabilityVSAvoidreassembly capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the material parameters and geometric parameters of the connector to control deformation characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the connector achieves sufficient electrical contact reliability while limiting plastic deformation to enable reassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The connector incorporates elastic deformation capabilities that allow it to dynamically respond to fastening forces. The elastic portion deforms under screw fastening to maintain electrical contact, then recovers to enable reassembly, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamic adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If the screw is loosened, then reassembly is possible, but electrical contact between the screw and connector is easily released

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereassembly capabilityVSAvoidelectrical contact stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic portion of the connector provides dynamic response to screw loosening. When the screw is loosened, the elastic deformation gradually releases, maintaining electrical contact through elastic recovery forces. This dynamic behavior ensures contact stability during reassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic portion acts as a cushioning element that compensates for gaps or misalignments during reassembly. This beforehand cushioning ensures continuous electrical contact is maintained even when the screw is being loosened or repositioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 design ensures consistent electrical contact and reduces plastic deformation, improving reassembly performance by distributing stress and maintaining connectivity despite incomplete fastening.

Implementation Method 1

the movable portion may include a first movable portion connected to the bending portion and a second movable portion extending from the first movable portion at a predetermined angle... the second movable portion may be configured to provide an elastic force to press the second electrically conductive structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the connector may include a base portion seated on the metal portion and through which the screw passes, a movable portion that at least partially faces the base portion and through which the screw passes, a bending portion connecting one side of the base portion and the movable portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress distribution: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4351113B1Connector and electronic device comprising same
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4351113B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4351113B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4351113B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises: a housing including a metal part and a polymer part; a substrate arranged inside the housing; a connector which is arranged inside the housing and which electrically connects the metal part and the substrate; and a screw for fastening the metal part of the housing to the connector, wherein the screw passes through the connector and passes through at least a part of the metal part, and the connector includes: a base part which is loaded on the metal part and through which the screw passes; a movable part which at least partially faces the base part and through which the screw passes; a bending part for connecting one side of the base part to the movable part; and a connection part which extends from the other side of the base part and which is connected to the substrate.