Pivotable Electrical Connector With Resilient Contact Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a pivotable electrical connector assembly that allows easy, reliable, and releasable connection between circuit boards or cables, enabling rotation without interrupting the electrical and mechanical connection, particularly for applications like LED strips where multidirectional accessibility is essential.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly features pivotable connectors with header and receptacle contact blades that allow insertion from multiple angles, utilizing resilient movable parts and complementary spherical surfaces for enhanced contact and rotation, along with a design that maintains connection while allowing for relative movement between circuit boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the receptacle contact blade is made resiliently movable to allow easy insertion of header contact, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle contact blade is designed as a resiliently movable component that can dynamically adjust its position during insertion. The blade pivots about a fulcrum point, allowing it to move from an initial position to a final clamping position, providing ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle contact blade is divided into distinct functional segments: a resilient portion that provides movement capability, a clamping portion that contacts the header, and a fulcrum point that acts as a pivot. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contact surfaces converge towards the pivoting axis to allow multidirectional insertion, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surfaces of the receptacle contact blade are designed with curved geometry that converges towards the pivoting axis. This curvature allows the blade to accommodate insertions from multiple directions within an angular range while maintaining reliable electrical contact. The convergent design provides adaptability for multidirectional connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connectors are designed to be fully pivotable without housing restrictions, then the freedom of rotation is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design extracts the pivoting functionality from the housing structure and implements it through the contact blades themselves. The receptacle contact blade pivots independently about a fulcrum point within the housing, allowing the housing to remain relatively simple while still enabling full pivoting motion of the connector.
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 solution enables easy and stress-free insertion of contacts, maintains reliable electrical and mechanical connections during rotation, and allows for multidirectional accessibility and accurate positioning, ensuring effective contact even at varying angles.
Implementation Method 1
The receptacle contact blade has a free peripheral portion at the entrance of the receptacle housing, which is resiliently movable with respect to the receptacle housing at least in a direction parallel to the main pivoting axis
Implementation Method 2
the header contacts and the receptacle contacts are provided with complementary spherical concave and convex surface sections in line with the pivoting axis
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly including a first connector with header contact blade (s) and a second connector with receptacle contact blade (s), The connectors are pivotable with respect to each other. The second connector includes a receptacle housing with an entrance for insertion of a header contact blade between a contact surface of the receptacle contact blade and an opposite surface. The entrance allows insertion in an angular range of mating directions within a plane perpendicular to the main pivoting axis. The contact surface of the receptacle contact blade and the opposite surface converge towards the main pivoting axis over said angular range. The receptacle contact blade has a free peripheral portion at the entrance of the receptacle housing, which is resiliently movable with respect to the receptacle housing.