Plug Connector Terminal Protector Using Elastic Sheath
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connectors are not optimized for reduced size, as they often require increased cavity dimensions due to the arrangement of retractable contacts and elastic elements, which affects their compactness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector design featuring a sleeve with a receiving cavity, a terminal module with a fixed body, insulative housing, magnetic element, and elastic elements where movable terminals are sheathed in the elastic elements, allowing the insulative housing to move backward and expose the terminals, reducing the overall size by utilizing the elastic elements to save space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastic element is arranged on both sides of the plurality of contacts to urge the contact protector to extend, then the retractable contacts can be supported, but the dimension of the accommodating cavity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The movable terminal is nested within the elastic element, with the elastic element serving as a sheath that contains the movable terminal. This nesting arrangement allows the movable terminal to be supported by the elastic element without requiring additional space for separate support structures, thereby reducing the cavity dimension while maintaining contact support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function and the terminal housing function are merged into a single integrated structure. The elastic element not only provides support for the movable terminal but also serves as part of the terminal housing assembly, eliminating the need for separate support components and reducing overall cavity volume.
2Ease of operation
If the movable terminals are exposed out of the insulative housing for connection, then electrical connection is enabled, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable terminal is designed to be dynamically positioned within the elastic element sheath. It can extend outward from the insulative housing when electrical connection is needed, and retract back into the housing when not in use. This dynamic positioning allows the connector to maintain a compact size while enabling electrical connection functionality on demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable terminal is nested within the elastic element sheath, which itself is part of the insulative housing assembly. This nested arrangement allows the terminal to be stored compactly within the housing when not in use, minimizing the connector size, while still allowing it to extend outward for electrical connection when needed.
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 solution enables a compact plug connector that maintains functionality by exposing movable terminals for electrical connection while minimizing the connector's size, enhancing its usability and compatibility with receptacle connectors through magnetic attraction.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic element received in the sleeve... enhancing its usability and compatibility with receptacle connectors through magnetic attraction
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of elastic elements, one end of the elastic element bearing against the insulative housing, the other end of the elastic element bearing against the fixed body
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector (100) includes: a sleeve (1) having a receiving cavity (11); and a terminal module (10) including a fixed body (7) received in the receiving cavity (11), an insulative housing (11) located in front of the fixed body (7) and extended beyond the sleeve (1), a magnetic element (6) received in the sleeve (1), a plurality of movable terminals (4), and plural elastic elements (5), the insulative housing (11) having a number of through holes (31), the other end of the elastic element (5) bearing against the fixed body (7), the movable terminals (4) in non-retracted state being located inwardly of the insulative housing (3), the insulative housing (3) being operable to move backwards urging against the elastic elements (5) and exposing the movable terminals (4) in retracted state out of the insulative housing (3); wherein the movable terminals (4) are sheathed in the elastic elements (5).