Floating Blade Connector Sleeve for Impact Damage Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blade-style connectors in electronic devices are susceptible to damage from impacts, such as drops or tumbles, leading to wear and tear, which can compromise the electrical connection and require frequent replacements.

Innovation Solution

A floating blade electrical connector design that includes a resilient member surrounding the casing, allowing it to move relative to the housing and absorb impact forces, thereby reducing stress on the connector and preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blade-style connectors are used, then wear resistance and connection robustness are improved, but susceptibility to impact damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidimpact damage susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector housing is designed to be movable relative to the device housing through a resilient member, allowing the connector to dynamically adjust its position and absorb impact forces rather than remaining rigidly fixed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member is positioned between the connector housing and device housing to provide pre-configured cushioning that absorbs impact forces before they reach the connector blade, preventing damage from drops or tumbles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid mounting of connector to housing is used, then structural stability is improved, but impact force transmission to connector increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member acts as a flexible element between the rigid device housing and connector housing, providing both structural support and impact absorption through its elastic properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enhances the durability of the electrical connectors, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for frequent replacements by mitigating damage from impacts.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member (230) that forms a sleeve around the casing (212) such that the casing (212) nests within the resilient member (230)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250392088A1Floating Electrical Connector
Publication Date: 2025.12.25 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORP
  • US20250392088A1 patent drawing
  • US20250392088A1 patent drawing
  • US20250392088A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic device has a housing with a device interface area. The device interface area includes an electrical connector operatively coupled to the housing, where the first electrical connector includes a first casing that supports blade-style electrical contacts and includes a resilient member that forms a sleeve around the first casing such that the first casing nests within the resilient member. The resilient member is disposed between the casing and the housing. The casing is configured to be movable relative to the housing by reversibly deforming the resilient member.