Hermaphroditic Connector Assembly for Stable Miniaturized Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies face challenges in reducing size while maintaining the fitted state against forces generated by elastic contact between contacts, which requires strong guide portions, making it difficult to miniaturize the connectors.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design where a first connector and a second connector, both hermaphroditically formed with the same configuration, are fitted together with their contacts making contact in a specific alignment, reducing the need for strong guide portions and allowing for a smaller size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the strength of the guide portions is increased to maintain the fitted state against forces from elastic contact, then the fitted state stability is improved, but the connector size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful elastic repulsive force between contacts into a beneficial attractive force between insulators. When the first and second contacts elastically contact, they generate repulsive forces that are transmitted to the insulators, creating attractive forces that pull the insulators together and maintain the fitted state. This eliminates the need for strong guide portions to counteract the repulsive forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the insulators mediate between the contact forces and the fitted state maintenance. Instead of directly using the contact repulsive forces to maintain the fitted state through strong guide portions, the insulators act as intermediaries that convert these forces into attractive forces, thereby maintaining the fitted state with weaker guide portions.
2Volume of moving object
If the connector size is reduced, then the miniaturization is achieved, but the strength of guide portions must be reduced making it difficult to maintain the fitted state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful elastic repulsive force between contacts into a beneficial attractive force between insulators. When the first and second contacts elastically contact, they generate repulsive forces that are transmitted to the insulators, creating attractive forces that pull the insulators together and maintain the fitted state. This eliminates the need for strong guide portions to counteract the repulsive forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the functional parameter of the guide portions from needing to resist repulsive forces to needing to maintain alignment while the insulators provide the attractive force. This parameter change allows the guide portions to be made smaller and weaker while still maintaining the fitted state effectively.
3Stability of the object's composition
If strong guide portions are used to maintain the fitted state, then the fitted state stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful elastic repulsive force between contacts into a beneficial attractive force between insulators. When the first and second contacts elastically contact, they generate repulsive forces that are transmitted to the insulators, creating attractive forces that pull the insulators together and maintain the fitted state. This eliminates the need for strong guide portions to counteract the repulsive forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the elastic contact between contacts automatically generates the attractive force needed to maintain the fitted state. The system uses its own operational forces (the elastic contact forces) to maintain its own stability, eliminating the need for additional complex structural elements to provide counteracting forces.
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 design enables a reduction in the size of the connector assembly while ensuring reliable electrical connection and maintaining the fitted state, as the contact force between the insulators attracts them, reducing the required strength of locking portions.
Implementation Method 1
a contacting portion 4A of each of the first contacts 4 disposed at the blade portion 3A and a contacting portion 6A of each of the second contacts 6 disposed at the blade portion 5A elastically contact each other
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector having an identical configuration, the first connector including a first insulator, and a first contact retained by the first insulator and connected to an end portion of a first electric wire, the second connector including a second insulator, and a second contact retained by the second insulator and connected to an end portion of a second electric wire, when the first connector and the second connector are fitted with each other, the first contact and the second contact make contact with each other in a state where part of the first contact is situated between the second contact and the second insulator and part of the second contact is situated between the first contact and the first insulator, whereby the first electric wire and the second electric wire are electrically connected to each other.