Multidirectional Electrical Connector Radial Contact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for portable energy storage devices, such as lithium-ion batteries, often require precise orientation for effective connection, leading to issues with improper installation, reduced contact area, and potential safety hazards due to inadequate current handling and vibration resistance, especially in high-current applications like electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The development of multidirectional electrical connectors that can establish a safe and robust connection in various spatial orientations, featuring a nonconductive base with concentric inner and outer sidewalls, multiple conductive contact pads, and a connection test terminal to ensure proper contact and confirm electrical connection, capable of handling higher current levels than conventional connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional electrical connectors are used, then the structure is simple, but the connector requires precise orientation for effective connection and has reduced contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with radial symmetry and multiple contact pads arranged in a circular pattern, enabling it to establish electrical connection in multiple orientations (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°). This multi-functional design allows the same connector structure to serve various connection angles without requiring different connector types or precise orientation alignment.
2Reliability
If conventional connectors are used, then the device complexity is low, but the vibration resistance and current handling capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a circular contact pad arrangement with radial symmetry instead of linear or angular configurations. This curved/circular geometry distributes mechanical stress uniformly across multiple contact points, enhancing vibration resistance and preventing contact loss under vibrational conditions while maintaining structural integrity for high current handling.
3Power
If conventional connectors are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the contact area is reduced leading to inadequate current handling
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple contact pads are arranged in a circular pattern within a single connector body, effectively merging multiple connection points into one integrated structure. This increases the total contact area available for current flow while maintaining a unified connector design that can be manufactured as a single component, thereby enhancing power handling capability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Multidirectional electrical connectors, electrical connector plugs and electrical connection systems for electrically connecting a portable energy storage device to an electrically powered device, such as an electric powered vehicle or a device for electrically charging the portable electrical energy storage device are described. The multidirectional feature of the electrical connectors, electrical connector plugs and electrical connections systems permit electrical connection between the electrical connectors and electrical connector plugs in a plurality of rotational orientations between a portable electrical energy storage device to which a connector or plug is electrically connected and an electrically powered device to which a corresponding plug or connecter is electrically connected.