Low-Profile Electrical Connector Using Nested Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connector assembled components have a high height dimension, which is a design constraint for electronic devices requiring a more compact form factor.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector assembled component is designed with a first connector formed by bending sheet metal to include a cylindrical receiving portion and an open receiving portion, and a second connector with elastic locking arms that overlap with the elastic contact piece in the up-and-down direction, reducing the overall height when connected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the conventional connector assembled component uses four members (elastic contact strip, bottom plate, lock spring strip, top plate) piled up in order, then the locking engagement is secure, but the height dimension becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the lock spring strip underneath the bottom plate instead of stacking it above. This nested arrangement allows the locking mechanism to be integrated within the existing structure, reducing the overall height dimension while maintaining the security of locking engagement between the plug and receptacle connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the lock spring strip from a vertical stacking arrangement (above the bottom plate) to a horizontal/underneath arrangement (below the bottom plate). This dimensional change in the arrangement of components reduces the height dimension of the connector assembled component while preserving the locking function through engagement in a different spatial configuration.
2Device complexity
If the plug connector and receptacle connector are directly connected, then the structure is simple, but the height dimension on the circuit board becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the locking mechanism by nesting the lock spring strip within the plug connector structure, positioning it underneath the bottom plate. This nested design maintains the simplicity of the direct connection between plug and receptacle connectors while reducing the height dimension by eliminating the need for stacked components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the locking function with the existing bottom plate structure by positioning the lock spring strip underneath it. This merging of functions allows the connector assembly to maintain structural simplicity while achieving a reduced height dimension through the integrated locking mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for a smaller height dimension in the electrical connector assembled component, achieving a low-profile design while maintaining secure locking engagement.
Implementation Method 1
a second connector with elastic locking arms that overlap with the elastic contact piece in the up-and-down direction
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembled component includes a first connector to be disposed on a circuit board and including a receiving portion; and a second connected to be accommodated in the receiving portion. The receiving portion includes a cylindrical receiving portion and an open receiving portion. The open receiving portion includes a locking piece connected to the side plate portion. The locking piece includes a locking portion at a front edge thereof. The cylindrical receiving portion includes an elastic contact piece. The second connector includes an elastic locking arm extending from the flat plate portion. The elastic locking arm is situated inside the cylindrical receiving portion at a position different from that of the elastic contact piece in the width direction, and at a position overlapped with that of the elastic contact piece in a vertical direction.