Eye-of-the-Needle Terminal Reducing Stub Capacitance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors with press-fit tails face challenges in achieving reduced stub length while maintaining desirable insertion and withdrawal forces, leading to increased stub capacitance and inefficient plating removal in plated through holes.
Innovation Solution
The design of a mounting terminal with a reduced stub length, featuring a keyhole-shaped opening and more acute angles towards the free end, allows for a reduced through-hole stub length and corresponding reduction in stub capacitance while maintaining lead-in and retention forces through open proximal ends and resilient beam configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the stub length of the mounting terminal is reduced, then the stub capacitance is reduced, but the insertion and withdrawal forces deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the mounting terminal, specifically the angle of the press-fit tail and the configuration of the resilient beams. By optimizing these parameters, the terminal achieves reduced stub length while maintaining adequate insertion and withdrawal forces through the modified beam geometry and open proximal ends configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting terminal is segmented into distinct functional regions: the press-fit tail portion that engages the plated through hole, the resilient beams that provide retention force, and the open proximal ends that eliminate sharp acute angles. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together to resolve the contradiction between reduced stub length and maintained forces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the stub length of the mounting terminal is reduced, then the through hole stub length is reduced, but the lead-in for the press-fit pin deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the angular parameters of the press-fit tail, creating more acute angles toward the free end while maintaining an adequate lead-in portion. This parameter optimization allows the terminal to achieve reduced stub length while preserving the gradual taper needed for proper insertion and lead-in functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The open proximal ends are designed to provide a preliminary gradual taper before the more acute angles begin. This preliminary action of the geometry creates a smooth transition zone that facilitates the lead-in function, ensuring proper insertion even with the reduced overall stub length.
3Productivity
If the stub length of the mounting terminal is reduced, then the plating removal efficiency is improved, but the retention force deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient beams are segmented with open proximal ends, creating distinct zones: the compressed portion that provides retention force through the plated through hole, and the open proximal ends that eliminate stress concentration points. This segmentation allows the terminal to achieve shorter stub length for improved plating removal efficiency while the beam configuration maintains adequate retention force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the resilient beams, including their thickness, length, and curvature, to maintain retention force despite the reduced stub length. By adjusting these parameters, the terminal achieves better plating removal efficiency while compensating for the reduced leverage arm through enhanced beam geometry.
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 shorter terminal stub length, reducing stub capacitance and allowing for efficient plating removal, while maintaining commercially acceptable insertion and withdrawal forces, thus improving the performance of electrical connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of opposed resilient beams defining respective proximal ends, respective distal ends opposite the proximal ends, and respective intermediate regions disposed between the proximal and distal ends
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical contact is provided having an eye-of-the-needle (EON) mounting terminal that has a reduced stub capacitance with respect to conventional eye-of-the-needle mounting terminals.