Offset Guiding Groove Connector Layout for Compact Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors are bulky and lack efficient guidance mechanisms for cable connectors, leading to potential interference and increased size.
Innovation Solution
A compact electrical connector design featuring a longitudinal housing with offset guiding grooves and a metallic shell that includes locking mechanisms and offset central axes, ensuring precise alignment and reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional guiding posts and grooves are used in electrical connectors, then alignment guidance is provided, but the transverse size of the connectors becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the guiding groove from a traditional transverse position to a longitudinal position on the endwall, utilizing the longitudinal dimension for guidance functionality. This dimensional repositioning allows the guiding groove to provide alignment guidance while occupying minimal transverse space, thereby reducing the overall transverse size of the connector without compromising guidance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric design where the guiding groove is positioned offset from the central axis of the mating tongue. This asymmetric placement on the endwall allows the groove to engage with corresponding guiding posts effectively while optimizing space utilization and minimizing the transverse footprint of the connector structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If guiding grooves are positioned centrally on endwalls, then alignment is simplified, but cable connectors may interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements asymmetric positioning of the guiding groove relative to the central axis of the mating tongue. This offset positioning strategically places the groove away from the center, creating sufficient clearance between adjacent cable connectors and preventing interference while maintaining effective alignment guidance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the guiding groove at a specific offset location on the endwall rather than uniformly at the center. This localized positioning optimizes the spatial relationship between guiding features and connector bodies, eliminating interference issues in specific regions while preserving guidance effectiveness at the targeted location.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple guiding grooves are added to improve guidance precision, then alignment accuracy increases, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the guidance function into distinct components: a single guiding groove on one endwall and corresponding guiding posts on the mating connector. This segmentation approach achieves precise alignment through the coordinated interaction of these simplified elements, avoiding the need for multiple grooves and reducing housing structural complexity while maintaining high alignment accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes: a longitudinal housing having opposite first and second sidewall, two endwalls connecting with the first and second sidewalls, and a mating tongue and defining a receiving cavity; two rows of terminals retained in the housing and arranged on opposite surfaces of the mating tongue; and a metallic shell surrounding the longitudinal housing and having two side plates respectively covering outer sides of the first and the second sidewalls, wherein each of the side plates defines a locking hole, at least one of the endwalls defines a guiding groove opening upwards, and a central axis in a longitudinal direction of the mating tongue is offset from a central axis in the longitudinal direction of the guiding groove.