Electrical Connecting Device Orientation Detection via Contact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the field of electrical connecting devices, particularly with flexible printed circuits and zero-insertion-force connectors, ensuring correct geometrical orientation is challenging due to mechanical sensitivity and difficulty in registering precise alignment, leading to inadequate mechanical stability and faulty connections during automated processing.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connecting device with multiple terminals, each having distinct contact regions with assigned electrical parameters, allows for the determination of geometrical orientation by measuring resultant parameters through test circuits, indicating preferred or lesser quality connections based on mechanical and electrical features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video surveillance is used to register connection quality, then connection orientation can be detected, but the system becomes elaborate and reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical video surveillance system with an electrical measurement system. Electrical parameters (resistance, capacitance, inductance) are measured to determine contact region quality, substituting complex visual detection with simpler electrical property measurement that provides both detection capability and higher reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from visual/orientation-based detection to electrical parameter-based detection. By measuring electrical properties (resistance, capacitance, inductance) of contact regions, the system achieves more reliable and precise orientation detection without the complexity of video surveillance equipment.
2Quantity of substance
If flexible printed circuits are miniaturized with dense conductor tracks, then smaller conductor diameters and higher density are achieved, but mechanical sensitivity and connection quality become more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by measuring electrical parameters of contact regions and using this information to assess connection quality. The measurement system provides feedback about the actual contact state, enabling detection of proper versus improper connections even in miniaturized flexible printed circuits with dense conductor tracks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of electrical parameters during the connection process to detect contact quality before final assembly is completed. This preliminary detection allows for immediate identification of connection issues in miniaturized circuits, preventing defective connections from proceeding to final assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connecting device is described that is designed to indicate a geometrical orientation of a connection between this connecting device and a complementary connecting device when the two connecting devices are connected to one another. The connecting device comprises at least one terminal for contacting by the complementary connecting device, whereby the terminal comprises a plurality of contact regions. Differing electrical parameters are assigned to the contact region, so that in the event of a contacting of the terminal by the complementary connecting device a resultant parameter is assigned to the contacting of the terminal, which indicates in which contact region (or in which group of contact regions) the contacting exists.