Multi-Orientation Circuit Board Connector with Integrated Terminals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for circuit boards face challenges in cost reduction due to the separate design and manufacturing requirements for vertical and horizontal orientations, as well as limitations in securing strength and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A connector design incorporating a first metal member as a terminal and a second metal member as a reinforcing bracket, both with specific edge orientations, retained within a housing that allows for mounting in multiple orientations, enabling shared manufacturing steps and cost reduction while enhancing securing strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate connectors are designed and manufactured for vertical and horizontal orientations, then mounting flexibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with a universal structure that can be mounted in both vertical and horizontal orientations using the same component. The housing includes mounting structures that adapt to different orientations without requiring separate connector designs, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining mounting flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow the same connector to dynamically adapt to different mounting orientations. The mounting structure can be configured for vertical or horizontal installation, enabling a single connector design to serve multiple mounting scenarios.
2Strength
If conventional terminal and reinforcing bracket structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but securing strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal and reinforcing bracket are merged into a single integrated metal member. This integration maintains manufacturing simplicity by reducing the number of separate components, while simultaneously improving securing strength through the combined structural functionality of both elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs a composite structure combining metal members with specific edge orientations and a housing. This composite design enhances securing strength while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized production processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single connector design is used for both orientations, then manufacturing cost decreases, but mounting adaptability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design segments the mounting functionality into distinct mounting structures within the housing that can accommodate different orientations. This segmentation allows a single connector body to support both vertical and horizontal mounting through its modular mounting structure design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure incorporates dimensional adaptability by designing mounting features that can orient in different spatial dimensions. The same connector can be mounted vertically or horizontally by utilizing different mounting interfaces within the housing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a connector for which cost can be reduced. A first connector 1 includes first metal members 10A that function as terminals and second metal members 10B that function as reinforcing brackets. Each first metal member 10A and second metal member 10B include a main body part 11, a first edge part 15, a second edge part 16, and a third edge part 17. A first edge part 15 of the first metal member 10A is positioned on the upper side of the main body part 11 that is the side that receives the mating connector. The second metal member 10B is retained in a different orientation from the first metal member 10A. The first edge part 15 of the second metal member 10B is positioned below the main body part 11 of the second metal member 10B and can be attached to a first circuit board B1 arranged on the lower side of the first connector 1. The third edge part 17 of the second metal member 10B is positioned more in the Y1 direction than the main body part 11 of the second metal member 10B and can be attached to the second circuit board B2 arranged in the Y1 direction with respect to the first connector 1.