PCB Connector Clamping Arms for Vibration-Stable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connectors in automotive technology face challenges with high acceleration forces and vibration frequencies, leading to fretting corrosion and electrical conductivity failure, particularly in miniaturized systems where additional holding structures are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector design featuring a pair of spring-return elastic clamping arms that form a clamping gap, optimizing frictional connection and holding forces without requiring positive fastening to the circuit board, allowing for deeper placement of holding zones within the receptacle to mitigate vibration effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If frictional engagement is used to hold the connector to the circuit board, then the connector can be miniaturized without additional holding structures, but the connector becomes detached under high acceleration forces and vibration frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into two functional systems: plug contacts for electrical connection and clamping arms for mechanical retention. This segmentation allows the electrical and mechanical functions to be optimized independently, enabling miniaturization while maintaining reliability through dedicated clamping structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping arms are designed as spring elements that dynamically adapt to the circuit board surface, providing continuous frictional engagement force. This dynamic mechanism maintains reliable connection under high acceleration and vibration by automatically adjusting clamping force, while keeping the overall connector size compact.
2Reliability
If locking hooks and retaining contours are added to ensure positive fastening, then the connector can withstand high acceleration forces and vibration frequencies, but the installation space increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arms are integrated directly into the contact carrier as a unified structure, combining the holding function with the existing connector body. This merging eliminates the need for separate locking hooks and retaining contours on both the connector and circuit board, reducing structural complexity while maintaining connection stability under high acceleration and vibration.
3Reliability
If locking structures and retaining contours are implemented, then the connector can withstand high acceleration forces and vibration frequencies, but the installation space and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-like clamping arms provide dynamic frictional engagement that adapts to the circuit board surface, distributing retention forces along the insertion direction. This dynamic mechanism achieves reliable connection stability under high acceleration and vibration without requiring additional installation space for separate locking structures.
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
The design ensures reliable connection under high acceleration and vibration conditions, preventing fretting corrosion and maintaining electrical conductivity by distributing forces effectively, while accommodating miniaturization requirements without additional structural constraints.
Implementation Method 1
at least one clamping arm is connected close to the plug-in opening and extends with its free end against the plug-in direction
Implementation Method 2
clamping means which can interact with the mating connector in a frictional manner and reduces the range of movement of the plug connector
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector is described and illustrated: - with a contact carrier which can be slid onto a mating component, such as a printed circuit board or contact blade, in the direction of insertion; - with a receptacle formed at the front in the direction of insertion, which is formed by two opposing contact carrier walls; - with a slot within the receptacle, the width of which is adapted to a mating component to be received; - with a receptacle base which is arranged opposite a insertion opening of the receptacle; - with adjacent plug contacts which are held by the contact carrier and are seated in the receptacle, wherein - the contact carrier carries at least one clamping element in addition to the contacts, which can interact frictionally with the mating component and reduces the range of movement of the connector transverse to the insertion direction; - the clamping element forms a clamping gap, the width of which is less than the width of the slot.- the insertion gap and the clamping gap have at least one common gap plane.