Movable Protection Member Connector for Reliable Electrical Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for personal digital assistants, such as cradles with spring-like terminals, are prone to deformation from external contact, and pogo pin connectors are costly and easily damaged during mounting and dismounting, while USB connectors face durability issues.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a contact point protected by a movable protection member that covers the periphery, allowing the contact point to project only when necessary, and incorporating a base body made of an insulator with specific openings and structures to ensure electrical connection and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-like terminal widely projects from the connector surface, then electrical connection is achieved, but the terminal may be deformed when a finger or pen comes into contact with it
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member is designed to move dynamically between a retracted position (when no external force is applied) and a covering position (when a connecting terminal is pressed). This dynamic movement allows the contact point to be exposed only when needed for electrical connection while being protected during idle states, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and protection from external contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection member acts as an intermediary element between the contact point and external objects. It selectively mediates access to the contact point, allowing controlled exposure for electrical connection while blocking harmful external contact during normal operation, thus protecting the contact point without compromising connection functionality.
2Reliability
If a pogo pin connector is used, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive pogo pin connectors with a simpler, more cost-effective structure using a protection member that can be manufactured at lower cost. The design achieves reliable electrical connection through a basic movable covering mechanism rather than requiring complex spring-loaded pogo pins, significantly reducing manufacturing expenses while maintaining connection reliability.
3Reliability
If a USB connector is used, then electrical connection is achieved, but the connector is easily damaged during mounting and dismounting of a USB terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member provides dynamic protection by being movable rather than fixed. During mounting and dismounting operations, the protection member can move to accommodate the USB terminal while still providing protection, preventing damage that would occur with rigid fixed-structure connectors. This maintains connection reliability while significantly improving durability during frequent plug-and-play operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a contact including a contact point to be electrically connected to an external apparatus when a connecting terminal of the external apparatus is pressed against the contact point, a protection member for protecting the contact point, and a base body storing the contact and the protection member. The protection member includes an opening for projecting the contact point on the external apparatus side from a surface on which the external apparatus is pressed. The protection member is movable between a first position and a second position with movement of the external apparatus. At the first position, the contact point is arranged so as to project on the external apparatus side from the opening. At the second position, the contact point is arranged on the same plane as the surface of the protection member on which the external apparatus is pressed.