Fine Pitch Electrical Connector With Removable Holding Tab

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors with dual-part contacts face limitations in achieving fine pitch arrangements due to the transverse space requirements, leading to inferior electrical performance and unstable mechanical retention during assembly.

Innovation Solution

The electrical connector design includes a main body with a spring arm and an auxiliary part, featuring a removable holding tab and base for precise assembly into passageways, allowing for a dual-part structure with fine pitch arrangement and improved retention and assembly stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dual-part contact structure with sideward extension is used, then mechanical retention and electrical performance are improved, but the transverse space requirement increases, limiting fine pitch arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical retention and electrical performanceVSAvoidtransverse space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The contact is divided into two separate parts: a main body that provides mechanical retention and an auxiliary part that extends sideward for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, reducing the overall transverse space requirement while maintaining both mechanical stability and electrical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary part extends from the main body in a direction that utilizes vertical space rather than purely horizontal space. By arranging components in three-dimensional space efficiently, the design achieves fine pitch arrangement without compromising the dual-part structure's mechanical and electrical benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If a single part contact structure is used, then transverse space is reduced for fine pitch arrangement, but mechanical retention and electrical performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransverse spaceVSAvoidmechanical retention and electrical performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact is divided into two separate parts: a main body that provides mechanical retention and an auxiliary part that extends sideward for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, reducing the overall transverse space requirement while maintaining both mechanical stability and electrical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary part is positioned and configured to nest efficiently with the main body, minimizing the overall footprint. The auxiliary part extends from the main body in a compact arrangement that reduces transverse space occupation while preserving the functional benefits of the dual-part structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If contacts are assembled via common contact carrier strip, then assembly process is simplified, but fine pitch arrangement is limited due to transverse space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidtransverse space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The contact is divided into two separate parts: a main body that provides mechanical retention and an auxiliary part that extends sideward for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, reducing the overall transverse space requirement while maintaining both mechanical stability and electrical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary part extends from the main body in a direction that utilizes vertical space rather than purely horizontal space. By arranging components in three-dimensional space efficiently, the design achieves fine pitch arrangement without compromising the dual-part structure's mechanical and electrical benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11264745B2Electrical connector and method of making the same

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 FUDING PRECISION COMPONENTS (SHENZHEN) CO LTD

AI summary

An electrical connector includes an insulative housing with a plurality of passageways extending through opposite upper and lower surfaces thereof, and a plurality of contacts retained in the corresponding passageways, respectively. The contact includes a main body, a spring arm extending from an upper end of the main body with a contacting section at a free end region thereof, and a tab extending upwardly from the main body for assembling the contact into the corresponding passageway. An auxiliary part extends from a side edge of the main body at an angle with a solder pad at the bottom end for securing a solder ball thereto. The tab is dimensioned to allow a fixture to grasp thereon for applying a downward force thereto during downwardly inserting the contact into the passageway, and is optionally adapted to be removed when the contact is moved to almost the final position.