Low-Profile Connector Terminal Layout for Dual Contact Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with terminals having two contact points face challenges in reducing their height due to the need for increased length in the mating direction to accommodate the contact portions, limiting their overall size reduction.
Innovation Solution
The connector design incorporates a supporting beam portion with first and second supporting portions extending upward from its ends, each supporting a contact point, and protruding portions that are partially embedded in a holding member, allowing the beam portion to be visible from above, thus enabling reduced height without compromising the size of the receiving portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contact portion length in the mating direction is increased to accommodate the receiving portion, then the connector can achieve high contact reliability, but the connector height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention repositions the holding member to cover the lower surface of the supporting beam portion instead of the upper surface, and makes the contact portions extend in the width direction rather than only in the mating direction. This dimensional reorganization allows the receiving portion to be sufficiently large for reliable contact while reducing the connector height in the up-down direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is inverted from covering the upper surface of the supporting beam portion to covering the lower surface. This inversion allows the contact portions to extend upward from the supporting beam portion, creating space for the receiving portion without increasing the overall connector height.
2Length of stationary object
If the connector height is reduced by minimizing supporting portion sizes, then the connector becomes more compact, but the receiving portion size may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving portion is formed by the contact portions extending in the width direction perpendicular to the mating direction, rather than relying solely on length in the mating direction. This allows the receiving portion to achieve sufficient size for reliability while keeping the connector height compact.
Solution Approach 2:
By inverting the holding member position to cover the lower surface, the contact portions can extend upward to form an adequately sized receiving portion even with minimized supporting portion sizes, maintaining reliability while achieving compactness.
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 allows for a reduction in the connector's height by minimizing the size of the supporting portions while maintaining the size of the receiving portion, facilitating a more compact connector structure.
Implementation Method 1
The first supporting portion extends upward in an up-down direction perpendicular to both the pitch direction and the width direction from one of end portions of the supporting beam portion and has resilience. The second supporting portion extends upward in the up-down direction from a remaining one of the end portions of the supporting beam portion and has resilience.
Data Source
AI summary
An insert molded body of a connector is provided with terminals and a holding member. A supporting beam portion of each terminal extends in a width direction. First and second supporting portions extend upward from end portions of the supporting beam portion, respectively. The first and the second supporting portions have resilience and support first and second contact points, respectively. The first and the second contact points face each other in the width direction. Protruding portions protrude from the supporting beam portion in a pitch direction. The supporting beam portion has a maximum size in the pitch direction which is equal to a maximum size of the first and the second supporting portion. The protruding portions are embedded in the holding member in part, so that the terminal is held by the holding member. The supporting beam portion is visible from above.