Perpendicular Cable Wire Termination for Compact Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable connector assemblies face challenges in minimizing their size due to the need for a sufficiently long axial groove in the contact terminating portion to ensure a stable connection, which increases the overall dimensions of the assembly.
Innovation Solution
The cable connector assembly incorporates interconnecting pieces secured to the cable wire center conductors, allowing for a perpendicular termination and efficient space utilization, with the contact terminating portion featuring a riveting end and groove configuration that reduces the assembly's length and thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the axial groove in the contact terminating portion is made sufficiently long to ensure stable connection, then the connection stability is improved, but the overall dimensions of the assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the termination direction from axial (parallel to contact axis) to perpendicular (transverse to contact axis). The cable wire center conductor extends perpendicularly to the contact and terminates at the side surface of the contact, rather than extending axially through a long groove. This dimensional change allows stable connection with reduced assembly length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces interconnecting pieces as separate components that mediate between the cable wire center conductor and the contact. The interconnecting piece has a first end connected to the center conductor and a second end connected to the contact, dividing the connection path into segments. This segmentation allows the center conductor to terminate perpendicularly at the contact side surface while maintaining stable electrical connection, reducing the need for a long axial groove.
2Reliability
If the axial groove is made sufficiently long to receive the center conductor for stable connection, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the thickness of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the termination direction from axial to perpendicular, so the center conductor extends perpendicular to the contact and terminates at the side surface. This eliminates the need for a deep axial groove, reducing assembly thickness while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnecting piece acts as an intermediary component between the center conductor and the contact. It provides a mounting structure that allows the center conductor to terminate perpendicularly at the contact side surface, enabling reliable electrical connection without requiring a thick axial groove structure.
3Device complexity
If direct connection of cable wires to contacts is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the assembly dimensions increase due to required groove length
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnecting piece serves as an intermediary component that enables perpendicular termination of the center conductor to the contact. Although it adds a component, it reduces overall assembly length by enabling a more compact connection geometry, trading component count for reduced dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector assembly includes: an insulative base (1); plural contacts secured to the insulative base, each contact having a contacting portion, a terminating portion, and a securing portion between the contacting portion and the terminating portion; a cable including plural wires connected to the contacts, each wire having a center conductor; and an outer shell enclosing the insulative base and a part of the cable; wherein the contact terminating portion has a groove (2021) receiving the cable wire center conductor; and the cable wire center conductor extends to terminate perpendicularly to an associated contact. Plural interconnecting pieces each secured to an associated cable wire center conductor are also designed to replace direct connection of the cable wires to the contacts.