Locking Connector With Fixed Arm For Shock-Resistant Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for card-type electronic devices on printed circuit boards are prone to unstable contact due to elastic deformation of arms when subjected to shock, leading to potential disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a base with elastically deformable arms, where at least one arm is fixed to the circuit board, and a cover with pivot portions and a lock mechanism, preventing elastic deformation and ensuring stable contact even under shock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the arms of the cover member are made elastically deformable to facilitate assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unstable contact under shock
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into two separate arms that are independently deformable, allowing each arm to be fixed to the circuit board individually. This segmentation enables the assembly process to proceed step-by-step, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining structural integrity for reliable contact under shock
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are pre-configured with elastic deformability built into their structure before assembly. This preliminary design allows the arms to be easily deformed during assembly to accommodate the cover member, yet maintain sufficient rigidity when fixed to provide stable contact during operation
2Reliability
If the arms are made rigid to prevent deformation under shock, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to difficult assembly
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the arm structure have different mechanical properties: the portion near the circuit board attachment point is designed to be more rigid for stable contact, while the portion near the pivot point is designed to be more flexible for easy assembly. This local differentiation of quality allows the arm to exhibit both rigidity and flexibility as needed
3Ease of operation
If the spacing between pivot portions is increased to match the bearings, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional elastic deformation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The arm structure incorporates dynamic elastic deformation capability that allows the spacing between pivot portions to adjust during operation. During cover insertion and removal, the arms can deform elastically to accommodate varying spacing requirements, providing ease of operation without requiring a permanently complex adjustable structure
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 solution provides a stable electrical connection between the card-type electronic device and the printed circuit board, maintaining contact integrity even when subjected to shocks or external forces.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the pair of arms is elastically deformable in an axial direction of the pivot portions
Data Source
AI summary
A connector in which contact between a circuit board and a card-type electronic device is made less liable to be unstable, even when the connector is subject to a shock. One (37) of a pair of arms (37, 38) of a base (3) is made elastically deformable. A holddown (43) is provided on the arm (37) such that the arm (37) cannot be elastically deformed when the base (3) is mounted on the circuit board.