Pivoting Electrical Connector Contact for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors are limited in their ability to engage different arrangements of mating contacts and often cause damage to contact pads due to their orthogonal insertion direction, leading to wear and reduced functionality.
Innovation Solution
The design of an electrical connector with a curved contact that pivots about a base portion, allowing it to engage mating contacts of varying arrangements while reducing wear by moving within a slot opening, and optionally featuring a beam connecting the base and curved portions for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact pads are arranged in a predetermined arrangement to ensure proper engagement, then engagement reliability is improved, but adaptability to different plug configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector contact employs a dynamic structure where the contact body can pivot about a pivot axis. The first contact portion is positioned to engage with mating contacts in a first arrangement, while the second contact portion can be positioned to engage with mating contacts in a second arrangement. This dynamic positioning capability allows the connector to adapt to different contact arrangements while maintaining reliable engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector contact is designed with multi-functionality to engage with mating contacts in multiple different arrangements. By incorporating both a first contact portion and a second contact portion that can be positioned differently, the single connector contact can serve multiple engagement configurations, making it universal for different plug types without requiring predetermined fixed arrangements.
2Ease of manufacture
If contact pads project outwardly from the plug body wall in orthogonal direction to insertion direction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but contact pad durability deteriorates due to stubbing or incorrect hitting
Solution Approach 1:
The connector contact incorporates a curved contact body with a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction. This curved geometry allows the contact to pivot and follow the mating contact during insertion, preventing stubbing or incorrect hitting while maintaining ease of manufacture through the curved structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector contact is designed to pivot about a pivot axis during engagement. This dynamic movement allows the contact to automatically adjust its position to match the mating contact, eliminating the stubbing problem associated with fixed orthogonal projections while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If slot contacts and plug contacts are positioned in predetermined rows and columns, then engagement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector contact is segmented into a first contact portion and a second contact portion, each capable of engaging with mating contacts in different arrangements. This segmentation allows the connector to achieve engagement precision for multiple contact arrangements without requiring a complex predetermined row and column structure for all contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector contact employs dynamic positioning through pivoting capability, allowing the contact portions to adjust their positions to match different mating contact arrangements. This dynamic approach achieves precise engagement without the need for complex predetermined positioning 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
This solution enables the connector to effectively mate with diverse contact arrangements, reducing wear and enhancing the longevity of contact pads by allowing flexible movement within the slot opening, thereby improving the reliability and versatility of electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
The connector contact is configured to pivot about the base portion when a mating contact of the second electrical component is moved alongside the mating face in the axial direction and engages the curved portion
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector configured to interconnect first and second electrical components. The connector includes a connector housing that is coupled to the first electrical component. The connector housing has a mating face that extends substantially in an axial direction and includes a slot opening. The connector also includes a connector contact that extends through the connector housing and the slot opening. The connector contact has a base portion located a depth within the connector housing and a curved portion formed along and protruding through the slot opening and beyond the mating face. The connector contact is configured to pivot about the base portion when a mating contact of the second electrical component is moved alongside the mating face in the axial direction and engages the curved portion. The curved portion is movable within and along the slot opening in the axial direction.