Low-Profile Connector Assembly for Multi-Directional Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors are not suitable for miniaturization and multipolarity, struggle with compactness and low profile, and have difficulty in suitably absorbing misalignment in multiple directions.
Innovation Solution
The connector design includes a terminal with a main body part, a contact part featuring a spring arm bent in an S-shape and a contact flexure part, and a connector base with an outward expanding part that allows for elastic deformation to absorb vibrations and misalignment, enabling high spacing efficiency and reliable contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional terminals are used with single bending piece for misalignment absorption, then misalignment can be absorbed in one direction, but the connector becomes large and cannot meet compactness and low profile demands
Solution Approach 1:
The contact part is divided into multiple independent elastic deformation sections (first bending piece, second bending piece, third bending piece) that can absorb misalignment in different directions separately, replacing the conventional single bending piece design. This segmentation allows compact connector structure while maintaining misalignment absorption capability in multiple directions
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple bending pieces are arranged in a nested configuration where the first, second, and third bending pieces are positioned at different locations along the contact part, with their elastic deformation paths nested within each other. This nested arrangement maximizes misalignment absorption within minimal space, achieving both compactness and reliability
2Reliability
If multiple bending pieces are added to absorb misalignment in multiple directions, then misalignment absorption improves, but the connector structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first, second, and third bending pieces are integrated into a single contact part structure that is formed as one piece. The multiple elastic deformation sections are merged into one continuous contact part with through-holes, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing structural complexity while maintaining multi-directional misalignment absorption capability
Solution Approach 2:
The contact part serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical contact, absorbs misalignment in multiple directions through its three bending pieces, and maintains structural integrity as a single formed piece. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall connector structure
3Quantity of substance
If conventional large terminals are used for multipole configuration, then signal handling capacity increases, but the connector becomes very large
Solution Approach 1:
The contact part utilizes three-dimensional elastic deformation through multiple bending pieces arranged in different spatial orientations. This 3D deformation capability allows the contact part to accommodate misalignment in multiple directions simultaneously, enabling compact multipole connector design without requiring large terminal spacing
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 achieves a compact and low-profile connector assembly that effectively absorbs misalignment and improves reliability by allowing flexible deformation and vibration absorption.
Implementation Method 1
the spring arm part includes a plate material narrower than the connector base, and is capable of absorbing vibrations in the width direction of the terminal through elastic deformation in the width direction of the terminal
Implementation Method 2
the outward expanding part is capable of absorbing vibrations in the vertical direction through elastic deformation
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A terminal including a main body part retained by a connector main body and a contact part connected to the upper end of the main body part and the free end of which can be connected to a counterpart terminal of a counterpart connector. The contact part including a connector base connected to the upper end of the main body part, a spring arm connected to the tip of the connector base and bent in a substantially s-shape, and a contact flexure part formed near the free end of the spring arm. The connector main body including a pair of side wall parts that extend in the longitudinal direction thereof and that retain the main body part. The connector base including an outward expanding part that bulges outward from the upper end of the main body part toward the connector main body and straddling the side wall parts without making contact with the side wall parts.