Female Connector Lateral Shell Structure for Stable Insertion Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HDMI female connectors have small contacting areas, leading to unstable insertion and withdrawal forces, and are prone to spring arm breakage or deformation due to the opposite extending direction of spring arms during male connector insertion.
Innovation Solution
The female connector design includes an insulating body with transversely penetrating openings, a terminal module, elastic elements with clamping portions, and lateral shells with curved spring arms that extend parallel to the insertion direction, increasing contacting areas and preventing spring arm deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the spring arm is extended towards the insertion opening in conventional female connectors, then the spring arm can provide insertion and withdrawal force, but the spring arm is easily broken or deformed due to the opposite extending direction during male connector insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arm's extending direction is inverted from the conventional design. Instead of extending towards the insertion opening (opposite to insertion direction), the spring arm now extends parallel to the insertion direction of the male connector. This inversion allows the spring arm to withstand insertion forces without breaking or deforming, while still providing the necessary insertion and withdrawal force through its elastic deformation.
2Force
If the contacting areas of spring pieces are small in conventional female connectors, then the structure is compact, but the insertion and withdrawal force is unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting area is enhanced by utilizing the lateral shell structure that extends along the insertion direction. The spring arm, integrated with the lateral shell, provides a larger contacting surface area compared to conventional spring pieces. This dimensional extension along the insertion direction allows for more stable insertion and withdrawal force while maintaining structural compactness in other dimensions.
3Strength
If the spring arm extends opposite to the insertion direction, then the spring arm can provide elastic force, but the spring arm is prone to breaking or deforming during male connector insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arm's orientation is inverted to align with the insertion direction rather than opposing it. This allows the spring arm to flex and deform in the same direction as insertion, distributing the mechanical stress along its length rather than concentrating it at a perpendicular angle. The spring arm maintains its elastic function while significantly improving resistance to breaking during insertion operations.
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 design enhances the insertion and withdrawal forces, stabilizes the connection, and prevents spring arm breakage or deformation, ensuring a more reliable connection between the female and male connectors.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one elastic element has a clamping portion extending towards a front end of the insulating body
Implementation Method 2
The at least one lateral shell has a spring arm arranged corresponding to the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A female connector includes an insulating body, a terminal module, at least one elastic element and at least one lateral shell. At least one side of the insulating body defines an opening. A middle of the insulating body defines an accommodating space. The terminal module is mounted in the accommodating space. The terminal module includes a plurality of terminals. The at least one elastic element is mounted to a surface of the insulating body which is parallel to an extending direction of each terminal. The at least one elastic element has a clamping portion, and a transverse width of the clamping portion is equal to a distance between two inner surfaces of two sides of the insulating body. The at least one lateral shell is assembled to at least one side surface of the insulating body.