Flexible Tab Contact Member for High-Frequency Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturized contact members for electrical connectors face challenges in easy fixation on supports while maintaining excellent electrical signal transmission properties, particularly in high-frequency applications.
Innovation Solution
A contact member design featuring a flexible tongue that transitions from a rest position to a bent position for secure contact, utilizing a base with a gripping surface for easy placement and welding onto a support, ensuring low contact resistance and high-frequency signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If contact members are miniaturized to reduce connector size, then the connector size is reduced, but the difficulty of fixing contact members on the support increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member incorporates a flexible tab that can dynamically change position between a first position (for easy attachment to the support) and a second position (for electrical contact with the device). This dynamic flexibility allows the same structure to facilitate both easy fixation and proper electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and ease of manufacture.
2Volume of moving object
If contact members are miniaturized, then the connector size is reduced, but the electrical signal transmission quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member features a localized flexible tab section that provides mechanical compliance and ensures reliable electrical contact. This localized flexibility at the contact point maintains excellent electrical properties for high-frequency signal transmission while the overall miniaturized structure achieves compact connector dimensions, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and transmission quality.
3Reliability
If the tab is made more flexible to ensure good contact, then the contact reliability is improved, but the structural strength of the contact member decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member is segmented into distinct functional zones: a rigid base portion providing structural strength and a flexible tab portion ensuring reliable contact. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the base maintains overall structural integrity while the tab provides the necessary flexibility for dependable electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between contact reliability and structural strength.
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
The contact member facilitates easy fixation and maintains excellent electrical signal transmission up to 18 GHz with low resistance, making it suitable for miniaturized connectors.
Implementation Method 1
the tab being flexible between a rest position, in which a distal end of the tab is located away from the base on the side of the second surface along the normal direction, and a bent position intended to be occupied when the tab is in contact with the first device
Data Source
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AI summary
A contact member (32) for establishing electrical contact between a support and a first device, the contact member comprising: a base (60) extending substantially along a plane (P) and having a first surface for being fixed to the support, and a second surface (68) opposite the first surface (66) along a normal direction (N) substantially perpendicular to said plane, the second surface being intended to be located opposite the first device, and at least one tab (62) integral with the base and flexible between a rest position, in which a distal end (82) of the tab is located away from the base on the side of the second surface along the normal direction, and a flexed position. The base has a largest dimension (D) less than or equal to 1 mm.The second surface includes a gripping surface (70) of generally rectangular or square shape having a short side (72) and a long side (74), the gripping surface extending over at least 0.01 mm2, and the short side having a length (D1) greater than or equal to 0.1 mm.