Miniature Connector Terminal with Restricted Cantilever Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturized conductive terminals in electrical connectors are prone to deformation when locking onto insulation cores, leading to poor locking and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A conductive terminal design featuring a terminal body with a terminal restricting structure and a deformable cantilever locking structure, which limits deformation to enhance locking stability and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If miniaturized conductive terminals are used, then the size of electrical connectors is reduced, but the locking reliability deteriorates due to excessive deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the conductive terminal by introducing a restricting structure that controls the deformation parameter. This structure limits the maximum deformation distance of the locking portion, preventing excessive deformation while maintaining the miniaturized size. The restricting structure acts as a physical constraint that modifies the deformation behavior of the cantilever beam, ensuring reliable locking despite the reduced size.
2Ease of operation
If the cantilever locking structure is made more deformable to improve locking engagement, then the locking capability improves, but the risk of falling into the terminal inner space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conductive terminal into distinct functional portions: a locking portion for engagement, a restricting structure that acts as a barrier, and a connecting portion. The restricting structure is positioned between the locking portion and the terminal inner space, creating a segmented architecture that allows controlled deformation for locking while preventing complete collapse into the inner space. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the deformation function from the failure mode.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the terminal cantilever deformation is restricted, then the locking stability improves, but the locking force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting structure is designed to engage only when the cantilever beam reaches a specific deformation threshold. During normal locking operation, the locking portion can deform freely to engage with the insulation core. The restricting structure provides partial constraint by activating only when deformation exceeds the safe threshold, preventing over-deformation while not interfering with the necessary locking force generation during normal operation.
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 prevents excessive deformation of the cantilever locking structure, ensuring secure engagement with the insulation core and improving the reliability of miniaturized electrical connectors.
Implementation Method 1
the terminal cantilever is connected to the terminal body at the cantilever connecting end, and the cantilever locking structure is disposed at the cantilever non-connecting end, allowing the terminal cantilever to be deformable on the terminal body to lock the cantilever locking structure to the insulating core
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector and a conductive terminal thereof are provided, wherein the conductive terminal is capable of being equipped with an insulation core to form the electrical connector. The conductive terminal comprises a terminal body and a terminal cantilever. The terminal cantilever can deform to lock onto the insulation core, and the terminal body can limit the degree of deformation of the terminal cantilever to prevent the terminal cantilever from undergoing excessive deformation during locking with the insulation core, thereby solving the problem of poor locking between miniaturized conductive terminals and insulation cores, and further improving the reliability of the electrical connector equipped with miniaturized conductive terminals.