Modular Pin Header Connector With Sliding Guide Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pin header connectors for automotive electronic control units are complex and costly to manufacture and replace, especially when they have a large number of electrical pin contacts, due to their significant dimensions and high component count.
Innovation Solution
A pin header connector design featuring a peripheral frame with through openings and modules with support plates, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without gluing or hot welding, using a limited number of components that can be manufactured through injection molding and assembled in an automated manner, enabling flexible configuration with interchangeable modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a pin header connector has a large number of electrical pin contacts, then the electrical connection capacity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pin header connector is divided into multiple independent modules, each containing a subset of electrical pin contacts. These modules can be manufactured separately and then assembled into the complete connector, reducing the complexity of manufacturing large-scale connectors while maintaining high electrical connection capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If a pin header connector has a large number of electrical pin contacts, then the electrical connection capacity is improved, but the replacement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connector into modular units, replacement becomes simpler as individual modules or standardized assemblies can be swapped out more easily than replacing a single large complex connector with hundreds of pins, reducing replacement difficulty while maintaining high electrical connection capacity.
3Strength
If traditional manufacturing methods are used for pin header connectors, then the structural integrity is ensured, but the manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate and electrical pin contacts are pre-assembled into modules before final integration into the connector housing. This preliminary assembly allows for more efficient manufacturing processes, reduced assembly time, and lower overall manufacturing costs while maintaining structural integrity through standardized connection interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A pin header connector having: a peripheral frame having, at the centre, a series of through openings; and a plurality of modules, each of which engages a corresponding through opening and is provided with a series of electrical pin contacts and with a support plate, which is made of a plastic material and has a series of first through holes engaged by the corresponding electrical pin contacts. The peripheral frame has a plurality of linear sliding guides, each of which is arranged in the area of a through opening, is designed to guide an insertion of the support plate of a module into the through opening allowing the support plate to only make a translation in a mounting direction, and is provided with a limit stop ending the insertion. An interlocking connection system is provided, which is activated when the support plate of each module strikes against the limit stop.