Metal Reed Connector Structure for Multi-Angle Terminal Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing male and female terminals in electrical connectors are costly, have limited current-carrying capacity, and require specific plugging directions, necessitating multiple terminals for different orientations, leading to inefficiencies in assembly and production.
Innovation Solution
A metal reed structure with connecting and cantilever reeds in a wavy design, allowing 90° and 180° pluggable connections without adapters, ensuring stable contact resistance and current-carrying capacity through elastic deformation and gap dispersion, and featuring a hanger lug for secure mating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional electrical connector with separate contact members is used, then assembly is straightforward, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to misalignment and gaps between separate parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple contact members into a single integrated reed structure where multiple contact elements are formed as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate contact members that require precise alignment during assembly, thereby improving manufacturing precision while the integrated design actually simplifies the overall structure by reducing the number of separate components.
2Reliability
If separate contact members are used in an electrical connector, then individual contact replacement is easier, but reliability deteriorates due to gaps and misalignment between separate parts
Solution Approach 1:
The reed structure integrates multiple contact members into a single piece with continuous material flow, eliminating gaps between separate parts. This improves contact reliability by ensuring consistent electrical connection without misalignment issues. The integrated design actually simplifies assembly since the entire reed structure can be installed as one component rather than assembling multiple separate contact members.
3Reliability
If traditional reed structures without support features are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but reliability deteriorates due to bending and breaking during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates support feet and positioning features directly into the reed structure during manufacturing. These support features are pre-formed as integral parts of the reed, providing necessary mechanical support before the reed is installed. This preliminary inclusion of support structures improves reed durability by preventing bending and breaking during assembly, while the integrated manufacturing process actually simplifies production by forming all features in one operation rather than adding them separately.
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
Facilitates cost-effective assembly with improved current-carrying capacity and contact stability, reducing temperature rise and mechanical stress, while enabling versatile plugging directions.
Implementation Method 1
a first end of the reed is received in the first circuit board and a second end of the reed protrudes from a surface of the first circuit board. The reed is elastically deformable
Data Source
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AI summary
A metal reed structure and an electrical connector. The metal reed structure includes: a first side plate and a second side plate disposed opposite to each other, and a third side plate and a fourth side plate disposed opposite to each other, where the first side plate and the third side plate are located in a same plane, and the second side plate and the fourth side plate are located in a same plane; and at least one pair of first connecting reed and second connecting reed disposed opposite to each other, where two ends of the first connecting reed are connected to the first side plate and the third side plate respectively, and two ends of the second connecting reed are connected to the second side plate and the fourth side plate respectively. According to the present application, pluggable installation of a male terminal and a female terminal in 90° and 180° directions can be realized, and the male terminal may be electrically connected to the female terminal directly by the metal reed structure, without the need for other adapter mechanisms, thereby facilitating assembly and saving costs.