Flat Cable Connector Vertical Dimension Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors for flat conductive members face challenges in reducing the vertical dimension due to the need for space to accommodate elastically displacing contact arms, which limits the miniaturization of terminals and connectors.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design features terminals with contact sections positioned at different front-and-back locations, allowing for closer placement or overlap in the vertical direction, and includes a pressing mechanism to ensure stable contact pressure, enabling reduced dimensions while maintaining secure contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two contact arms are formed in parallel at positions away from each other in the vertical direction to allow elastic displacement, then stable contact is ensured, but the vertical dimension of the terminal and connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the two contact arms from a vertical arrangement (parallel but separated in vertical direction) to a horizontal arrangement (parallel and overlapping in vertical direction but separated in front-and-back direction). This dimensional transformation allows the contact arms to maintain stable contact through elastic displacement while significantly reducing the vertical dimension of the terminal and connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact arms are positioned asymmetrically in the front-and-back direction rather than symmetrically in the vertical direction. The first contact arm is located at a front position while the second contact arm is located at a rear position, creating an asymmetric layout that enables vertical overlap and reduces the overall vertical dimension while preserving contact stability.
2Reliability
If contact sections are positioned at the same height level in the vertical direction, then stable contact is achieved, but the vertical space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the contact sections from a vertical arrangement (same height level but separated vertically) to a horizontal arrangement (different front-and-back positions but overlapping vertically). This allows the contact sections to maintain stable contact while reducing the vertical space occupied by the terminal structure.
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 allows for a reduction in the vertical dimensions of both terminals and connectors while ensuring stable and reliable contact with the flat conductive member, improving contact reliability and ease of insertion.
Implementation Method 1
the front contact section and the rear contact section elastically displace and contact with a corresponding circuit section
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector for connecting a flat conductive member includes a housing including a receiving section for receiving the flat conductive member in a first direction and a terminal arranged in the housing. The terminal includes a first contact section for contacting with the flat conductive member, a second contact section for contacting with the flat conductive member, an extending arm portion, and a first flexible contact arm portion extending from the extending arm portion toward the second contact section. The first contact section is disposed at a distal end portion of the first flexible contact arm portion. The electrical connector further includes a pressing portion for contacting the flat conductive member with the first contact section and the second contact section.