Female Connector Size Reduction via Segmented Contact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet connectors have a large female connector size due to the spacious inner opening required for the male connector's protruding terminal, which increases the overall size of the connector.
Innovation Solution
A female connector design with a female-side insulating film featuring closely positioned first and second connection portions on one surface and corresponding terminal portions on the other, allowing the male-side contact portion to be sandwiched between these points during sliding, reducing the contact area and connector size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large inner opening is provided in the reception terminal to allow smooth insertion and movement of the protruding terminal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the area of the female connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The female-side contact portion is divided into multiple connection portions (first connection portion, second connection portion, third connection portion) that are arranged in sequence along the sliding direction. This segmentation allows the male-side contact portion to be guided through a narrow path rather than requiring a large single opening, thereby reducing the overall area of the female connector while maintaining ease of insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portions are arranged in a linear sequence along the sliding direction (one-dimensional arrangement) rather than spreading out in a two-dimensional space. This dimensional optimization allows the contact area to be narrowed in the width direction while maintaining sufficient length in the sliding direction, thus reducing the female connector's area without compromising operational ease.
2Area of stationary object
If the contact portion inside area is narrowed to reduce the female connector size, then the area of the stationary object is reduced, but the reliability of electrical connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The first connection portion and second connection portion are positioned to make contact with the male-side contact portion before the third connection portion. This preliminary action ensures that the male-side contact portion is properly guided and positioned early in the insertion process, establishing reliable electrical connection before the full insertion is complete, thereby maintaining connection reliability despite the narrowed contact area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different connection portions have different functional qualities: the first and second connection portions are designed for initial contact and guidance, while the third connection portion provides final stable contact. This local differentiation of function ensures that each portion contributes optimally to the overall connection reliability, compensating for the reduced total area through optimized local contact characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A female connector downsized by downsizing female-side contacts. Each female-side contact portion is formed of a first connection portion having an arm portion extending from a base portion in a width direction, a first supporting portion integrally connected to one end of the arm portion, and a second connection portion having a second supporting portion integrally connected to the other end of the arm portion. The first and second supporting portions extend in a direction away from the arm portion, and then extend toward the central portion of the arm portion. When a male connector and the female connector are fitted, each male-side contact portion is received outside an associated female-side contact portion and then is moved inside therefrom. Then, the male-side contact portion is sandwiched by a first and second contact point portions formed respectively at the first and second point portions.