Laminated Electrical Connector Terminal for Compact Floating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors with a floating function face challenges in achieving a high current capacity while maintaining sufficient movement of the movable housing and minimizing outer dimensions, as thick terminals hinder elastic deformation and increased length leads to larger connectors.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector is designed with a terminal formed by laminating multiple independent terminal plates in the thickness direction, allowing for elastic deformation of the spring portion without increasing its length, thereby supporting a movable housing that can move sufficiently while maintaining a compact size and high current capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the terminal is made thick to achieve high current capacity, then the current capacity is improved, but the elastic deformation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into multiple terminal plates (first terminal plate, second terminal plate, third terminal plate) stacked in the thickness direction. Each terminal plate has a spring portion that can elastically deform independently. This segmentation allows the terminal to achieve high current capacity through the combined cross-sectional area of multiple plates while maintaining elastic deformation capability through the flexible spring portions of each individual plate.
2Strength
If the spring portion length is increased to improve elastic deformation, then the movement capability is improved, but the connector outer dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the length of the spring portion in the horizontal direction, the invention utilizes the thickness direction (vertical dimension) by stacking multiple terminal plates. The spring portions of these plates provide elastic deformation capability without extending the overall length of the connector, thus achieving sufficient movement capability while maintaining compact outer dimensions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal length is increased to improve floating function, then the movement range is improved, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is segmented into multiple terminal plates stacked in the thickness direction, with each plate contributing to the overall current capacity and elastic deformation capability. This segmentation allows the connector to achieve a large movement range for effective floating function without increasing the horizontal length of the connector, as the elastic deformation is achieved through the stacked structure rather than extended length.
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 configuration enables the connector to achieve a large current capacity and reduced outer dimensions, facilitating effective elastic deformation and movement of the movable housing, thus enhancing the floating performance and reducing the connector's size.
Implementation Method 1
a spring portion connecting the circuit connection portion and the contact portion in such a manner as to enable the contact portion to move with respect to the circuit connection portion
Implementation Method 2
The movable housing is provided with a mating portion that mates with the counterpart connector. Moreover, the circuit connection portion of the terminal is fixed to the board, and the contact portion of the terminal is fixed to the movable housing. This structure allows the movable housing to move with respect to the board on the basis of the elastic deformation of the spring portion of the terminal.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an electrical connector which includes: a terminal including a circuit connection portion connected to a circuit on a board, a contact portion configured to contact a terminal of a counterpart connector, and a spring portion connecting the circuit connection portion and the contact portion in such a manner as to enable the contact portion to move with respect to the circuit connection portion; a fixed housing fixed to the board; and a movable housing movable with respect to the fixed housing, the movable housing supporting the contact portion. The terminal is formed by laminating a plurality of terminal plates independent of each other in a thickness direction of the plurality of terminal plates.