Movable Contact With Restricting Portions For Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact and connector systems face reliability issues due to variations in contact area caused by low shaping accuracy or misalignment of terminal fittings, leading to reduced contact reliability and increased contact resistance.
Innovation Solution
A contact system comprising a contact body with a flat plate-shaped contact portion and a supporting member that includes a spring portion and restricting portions to maintain contact area consistency, where the supporting member is separate from the contact body and supports the contact portion in a movable manner, with protrusions and holes for secure alignment and movement restriction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional terminal fitting with elastic contact body is used, then the contact can accommodate misalignment through elasticity, but the contact area varies due to low shaping accuracy leading to reduced contact reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portion is designed to be movable within the supporting member, allowing dynamic adjustment to maintain optimal contact area despite manufacturing variations. The supporting member enables the contact to adapt its position while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal fitting is divided into separate components: a supporting member and a contact body. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the supporting member provides precise positioning while the contact body maintains manufacturing simplicity.
2Reliability
If the contact portion is made movable to accommodate misalignment, then contact area consistency improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional supporting member components
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables movable positioning of the contact portion, restricts movement in unwanted directions, and maintains contact area consistency. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member integrates several functions that would traditionally require separate components - positioning, movement restriction, and contact maintenance are combined into a single structural element, simplifying the overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If the supporting member restricts movement to prevent misalignment, then contact reliability improves, but the ease of operation decreases due to restricted movement freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting portions are strategically positioned to constrain movement only in directions that would cause misalignment, while allowing free movement in directions necessary for proper contact engagement. This selective restriction maintains both reliability and ease of 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 solution enhances contact reliability by maintaining a consistent contact area and restricting movement to prevent misalignment, thereby reducing contact resistance and improving the overall reliability of the connection.
Implementation Method 1
a spring portion (222, 223) that is provided on the supporting member body (221), for bringing the mating contact portion (71) inserted into the supporting member body (221) and the contact portion (211) into contact with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A contact increased in contact reliability by suppressing variation in contact area between the contact and a mating contact. A contact body including a contact portion that is brought into contact with a contact portion of a male-side contact, and a supporting member formed separate from the contact body, for receiving therein the contact portion and movably supporting the contact portion form a female-side contact. The supporting member includes a supporting member body for receiving therein the contact portion and the contact portion, first and second spring portions and provided on the supporting member body, for bringing the contact portion inserted in the supporting member body and the contact portion into contact with each other, and restricting portions provided on the supporting member body, for restricting movement of the male-side contact in a spring portion-bending direction of the first and second spring portions.