Multipole Connector Protection Section Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multipolar connectors face issues with deformation and positional displacement of pin-shaped terminals due to external forces, leading to connectivity problems when connecting circuit boards in electronic systems like electric power steering apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A multipolar connector design featuring protection sections that extend from the hold member to cover and protect pin-shaped terminals, preventing deformation and positional displacement by absorbing external forces, ensuring stable insertion into through holes on circuit boards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If pin-shaped terminals are made thin to reduce size, then the connector becomes more compact, but the terminals become prone to deformation and positional displacement under external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector sizeVSAvoidterminal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing protection sections that extend from the hold member to cover the pin-shaped terminals before external forces are applied. These protection sections act as pre-positioned cushioning structures that absorb and distribute external forces, preventing deformation and positional displacement of the thin terminals while maintaining the compact connector design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If protection sections are added to protect pin-shaped terminals, then terminal stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal stabilityVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protection sections with the hold member into a single integrated structure. The protection sections extend from the hold member as a unified component, combining the functions of terminal positioning and terminal protection in one structure, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2955790B1Multipole connector
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 NSK LTD
  • EP2955790B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2955790B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2955790B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multipolar connector is provided. It is possible to prevent deformation of a particular pin-shaped terminal of plural pin-shaped terminals arranged in a line in a direction perpendicular to a connection direction of the multipolar connector, and also possible to prevent positional displacements of the particular pin-shaped terminal and other pin-shaped terminals. The multipolar connector (101) includes plural pin-shaped terminals (110) arranged in a line in a direction (arrow X direction) perpendicular to a connection direction (arrow Y direction) of the multipolar connector to extend in the connection direction, and a hold member (120) configured to extend in the direction perpendicular to the connection direction and hold the plural pin-shaped terminals (110) at a predefined pitch. A protection section (121) to protect a particular pin-shaped terminal (110) of the plural pin-shaped terminals (110) is provided at a part of the hold member (120) to extend from the hold member (120) to protrude in the connection direction of the particular pin-shaped terminal (110) to be protected and cover around the particular pin-shaped terminal (110).