Electronic Apparatus Accessory Contacts for Stable Grounding Under Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatus and accessory connections are prone to disconnection due to static pressure or impact, particularly affecting the ground (GND) contact, leading to potential damage and malfunction.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus and accessory are designed with a plurality of contacts arranged orthogonally to the attachment direction, including first and second reference potential contacts at both ends, ensuring stable connection even under external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single GND contact is used for reference potential connection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates under static pressure or impact
Solution Approach 1:
The single GND contact is segmented into multiple reference potential contacts (first and second GND contacts) positioned at different locations. This segmentation ensures that if one contact becomes disconnected due to external force, the other contacts maintain the reference potential connection, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex additional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference potential contacts are arranged in a specific spatial configuration (first direction and second direction orthogonal to attachment direction) to provide redundancy in multiple dimensions. This dimensional arrangement allows the system to maintain functional integrity even when subjected to force from specific directions, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
2Reliability
If the GND contact is positioned to make contact first for safety, then the reliability improves during connection, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to precise positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The first reference potential contacts are positioned to establish reference potential connection before power supply contacts during the attachment process. This preliminary action ensures safe grounding is established first, preventing damage before power connection occurs, while the overall structure remains simple enough for easy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact structure is segmented into different functional zones: reference potential contacts positioned for early engagement and power supply contacts positioned for later engagement. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both reliable sequential connection and ease of operation through clear functional differentiation.
3Reliability
If multiple reference potential contacts are added for redundancy, then the reliability improves under external force, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reference potential contacts are strategically positioned at specific locations (both ends of the accessory and electronic apparatus) where they are most effective for maintaining connection under external force. This local optimization provides maximum reliability improvement with minimal increase in overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact arrangement utilizes orthogonal directions (first and second directions) to position reference potential contacts, creating a three-dimensional redundant connection structure. This dimensional approach provides robustness against multi-directional forces while maintaining a relatively simple overall contact arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus to which an accessory is to be detachably attached includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to an attachment direction of the accessory. The plurality of contacts include first reference potential contacts that are contacts disposed at both ends of the plurality of contacts and are connected to a reference potential, and second reference potential contacts that are connected to the reference potential and are contacts disposed at both ends of part of the plurality of contacts other than the first reference potential contacts in a case where the accessory is connected to the part of the plurality of contacts.