Multi-Height Contact Connector for Layered Conductive Sheets

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connectors face difficulties in properly connecting to sheet-like electrically conductive members with electrically conductive portions arranged at different height positions due to fixed contact positions within the housing.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a body housing with holding portions at varying heights to accommodate contacts at different positions, a cover housing that sandwiches the conductive member with the body housing, and an intermediate housing with openings and step portions for stable contact and insulation, allowing easy connection and enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If contacts are held at the same height position in the housing, then the housing structure is simple, but the connector cannot properly connect to electrically conductive portions arranged at different height positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with multi-height conductive portionsVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple holding portions, each positioned at different height levels. This segmentation allows each contact to be held at the appropriate height to match corresponding electrically conductive portions on the circuit board, enabling proper connection while maintaining a relatively simple overall housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding portions are arranged in the thickness direction (vertical dimension) of the housing rather than only in the horizontal plane. This vertical arrangement allows contacts to reach conductive portions at different heights, adding a dimensional aspect to the contact holder configuration that resolves the height mismatch problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multiple holding portions at different heights are provided in the housing, then proper connection to multi-height conductive portions is enabled, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple holding portions, each positioned at different height levels. This segmentation allows each contact to be held at the appropriate height to match corresponding electrically conductive portions on the circuit board, enabling proper connection while maintaining a relatively simple overall housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple holding portions for contacts at different heights are integrated into a single housing structure. This merging approach combines the functions of multiple height-level contact holders into one unified component, achieving reliable multi-height connections without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the connector uses a single-layer contact holder structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot accommodate contacts at different height positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcompatibility with multi-height conductive portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple holding portions, each positioned at different height levels. This segmentation allows each contact to be held at the appropriate height to match corresponding electrically conductive portions on the circuit board, enabling proper connection while maintaining a relatively simple overall housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding portions are arranged in the thickness direction (vertical dimension) of the housing rather than only in the horizontal plane. This vertical arrangement allows contacts to reach conductive portions at different heights, adding a dimensional aspect to the contact holder configuration that resolves the height mismatch problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11769958B2Connector for connection to a sheet-like electrically conductive member provided with a plurality of electrically conductive portions that are arranged at different height positions in the thickness direction of the electrically conductive member

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 TATSUTA ELECTRICWIRE & CABLE

AI summary

The present invention provides a connector that can be easily and properly connected to a sheet-like electrically conductive member that is provided with a plurality of electrically conductive portions arranged at different height positions in the thickness direction. A connector 1 includes a plurality of contacts 2, a body housing 5 that holds the contacts 2, and a cover housing 7 that is attached to the body housing 5. The body housing 5 has a plurality of holding portions 51 that hold the contacts 2. The holding portions 51 are provided in the body housing 5 so as to hold the contacts 2 at different height positions in the thickness direction of the body housing 5. A plurality of electrically conductive portions 101 come into contact with the contacts 2 in a state where an electrically conductive member 100 is sandwiched between the cover housing 7 and the body housing 5.