Flat Conductor Connector Groove Structure for Stable Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for flat conductors face a conflict between easy assembly and maintaining a favorable electrical connection state due to conflicting requirements for groove width in the movable member, leading to potential damage and displacement of terminal arm parts.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a movable member with grooves having a wide portion and narrower portions, allowing easy assembly by aligning the terminal arm parts during assembly and stabilizing the contact position during use, with the grooves having a smooth transition to prevent interference and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the groove width in the movable member is made wide to facilitate easy assembly of terminal arm parts, then assembly ease is improved, but the stability and precision of contact position during use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is segmented into multiple regions: a first groove portion with a first width for receiving the terminal arm part during assembly, and a second groove portion with a second width (narrower than the first) for maintaining contact position stability during use. This segmentation allows the groove to fulfill both assembly ease and contact stability requirements in different spatial zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the groove are given different width characteristics tailored to their specific functions: the first groove portion has a larger width to facilitate easy insertion of the terminal arm part, while the second groove portion has a smaller width to provide precise positioning and stable contact during operation. This local differentiation of geometric properties resolves the contradiction between assembly ease and contact stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the groove width is made narrow to maintain stable contact position, then contact stability is improved, but assembly difficulty increases and risk of damage to terminal arm parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is divided into a first groove portion with larger width for easy assembly and a second groove portion with smaller width for stable contact positioning. The transition between these portions is designed to be smooth, preventing damage to the terminal arm part while ensuring precise positioning during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The first groove portion with larger width is provided to facilitate preliminary assembly actions (insertion of terminal arm part), after which the arm part is guided into the second groove portion with smaller width that provides the desired contact stability during operation.
3Ease of operation
If the groove width is made wide to prevent interference during movement, then ease of operation is improved, but contact position stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is segmented into a first groove portion with larger width that allows smooth movement and insertion of the terminal arm part, and a second groove portion with smaller width that provides stable contact positioning. The smooth transition between these portions ensures ease of operation while maintaining contact stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove width parameter is changed along its length: it starts with a larger width (first width) to facilitate easy insertion and movement, then transitions to a smaller width (second width) to provide stable contact positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and contact stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrical connector to which a flat conductor is connected includes: a housing; terminals; and a movable member, the movable member is movable between a closed position and an open position while rotating, each terminal has an arm part, the movable member maintains a connection state between the electrical connector and the flat conductor when being located in the closed position and allows removal of the flat conductor when being located in the open position, and has a groove that houses a rear end portion of the arm part, when the movable member is located in a predetermined position different from the closed position, the rear end portion is housed in a wide portion of the groove, and when the movable member is located in the closed position, the rear end portion is housed in the wide portion and a narrow portion of the groove.