Floating Circuit Board Connector Structure for Resonance Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit board electrical connectors experience resonance and potential damage due to excessive elastic deformation when vibration frequencies approach the natural frequency of the terminals, leading to plastic deformation.

Innovation Solution

The circuit board electrical connector design includes terminals with fixed and movable housings, featuring elastic portions that abut on the housings when deformed by a predetermined amount, restricting further deformation and increasing the natural frequency to suppress resonance, and incorporating arm portions for enhanced floating functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the elastic portion is allowed to deform freely to achieve floating functionality, then the connector can accommodate misalignment and vibration, but the terminal may experience excessive deformation leading to resonance and plastic deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloating capacityVSAvoidterminal damage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side walls are positioned in advance to abut against the elastic portion when it deforms by a predetermined amount, preventing further deformation before resonance and plastic deformation can occur. This preliminary constraint mechanism stops the harmful excessive deformation while still allowing controlled elastic deformation for floating functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the deformation parameter of the elastic portion by introducing abutment constraints from the side walls. The elastic portion is allowed to deform within a controlled range (by a predetermined amount) but is prevented from exceeding this range, thereby changing the deformation parameter from uncontrolled to controlled, suppressing resonance while maintaining floating capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the elastic portion deforms by a large amount to ensure floating functionality, then the connector can handle vibration and misalignment, but the natural frequency decreases making the terminal more susceptible to resonance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloating capacityVSAvoidnatural frequency control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The side walls are positioned to abut against the elastic portion in advance, preventing excessive deformation before it can occur. This preliminary constraint maintains the natural frequency of the terminal by limiting the maximum deformation amount, thereby preventing the natural frequency from decreasing to resonance-prone levels while still allowing sufficient floating capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If the side wall is positioned to abut the elastic portion, then excessive deformation is restricted and resonance is suppressed, but the elastic portion cannot deform outward in the connector width direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonance suppressionVSAvoiddeformation freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The side walls are positioned at specific locations to abut against the elastic portion only when it deforms by a predetermined amount outward. This local constraint allows the elastic portion to deform freely within the controlled range (toward the inner side and within the predetermined outward limit) while providing constraint only when needed, thereby suppressing resonance without completely restricting deformation freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The constraint mechanism is dynamic rather than static. The side walls do not continuously constrain the elastic portion but only engage when the elastic portion deforms by a predetermined amount. This dynamic constraint allows the elastic portion to deform freely within normal operating ranges while providing resistance only when excessive deformation occurs, maintaining both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively suppresses resonance and reduces the likelihood of terminal damage by controlling elastic deformation, ensuring sufficient floating capacity while maintaining connector functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the intermediate portion includes at least one of elastic portions bent in a connector height direction, and a specific elastic portion of the elastic portions can abut on the fixed housing when being elastically deformed by a predetermined deformation amount

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The specific elastic portion can abut on the side wall when being elastically deformed by a predetermined deformation amount outward in the connector width direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The specific elastic portion can abut on the movable housing when being elastically deformable by a predetermined deformation amount in the connector width direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4224639B1Circuit board electrical connector
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 HIROSE ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4224639B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4224639B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4224639B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A circuit board electrical connector includes: a plurality of terminals; a fixed housing fixed to a circuit board via the terminals; and a movable housing relatively movable with respect to the fixed housing, in which the terminals are provided to be bridged between the fixed housing and the movable housing, the terminals include a fixed side held portion held by the fixed housing, a movable side held portion positioned on an inner side in a connector width direction than the fixed side held portion and held by the movable housing, and an elastically deformable intermediate portion positioned between the fixed side held portion and the movable side held portion, the intermediate portion includes at least one of elastic portions bent in a connector height direction, and a specific elastic portion of the elastic portions can abut on the fixed housing when being elastically deformed by a predetermined deformation amount.