Plug Terminal Spring Structure for Multi-Directional Followability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing receptacle contacts, as described in Patent Literature 1, are limited in their ability to elastically deform in directions other than the X-axis, restricting the followability with respect to other terminals.
Innovation Solution
A terminal design featuring a substrate connection portion, a contact portion, and elastic portions with spring elements along multiple side surfaces, allowing deformation in multiple directions to improve followability, including a first and second elastic portion connected by coupling portions, and a contact connection portion divided by a slit for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single spring member is used for lateral movement compensation, then the structure is simple, but the followability in multiple directions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic portion is divided into multiple spring members (first spring member and second spring member) that are arranged in series. Each spring member is configured to elastically deform in different directions, with the first spring member primarily handling X-axis movements and the second spring member handling Y-axis movements. This segmentation allows the terminal to achieve multi-directional followability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-dimensional spring deformation (X-axis only) to multi-dimensional deformation by configuring spring members along different axes. The first spring member is arranged along the X-axis direction while the second spring member is arranged along the Y-axis direction, enabling the contact portion to follow movements in both horizontal directions and improving adaptability to multi-directional misalignments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spring member is configured for X-axis deformation, then lateral movement compensation is achieved, but Y-axis and Z-axis deformation capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic portion is segmented into multiple spring members with different deformation characteristics. The first spring member (431) is configured to primarily deform in the X-axis direction, while the second spring member (432) is configured to primarily deform in the Y-axis direction. This segmentation allows each spring member to specialize in compensating for movements in its respective direction, achieving comprehensive multi-directional followability and improving contact engagement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the deformation capability from a single X-axis dimension to multiple dimensions by adding the second spring member that deforms in the Y-axis direction. This multi-dimensional configuration enables the terminal to accommodate misalignments in both horizontal directions, significantly improving adaptability and ensuring reliable contact engagement even when multi-directional movements occur.
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 terminal design enhances followability by enabling deviation in two directions crossing the introduction-extraction direction, improving the relative position with respect to the other terminal and facilitating better contact engagement.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring portion that is provided along a first side surface being a part of side surfaces of a virtual solid having, as a plane surface or a bottom, a plane figure containing the contact portion when viewed from the introduction-extraction direction, and that is deformable with respect to the first side surface
Data Source
AI summary
In a plug terminal (1), a first plug elastic portion (13) connects a plug substrate connection portion (11) connected to a first substrate and a plug contact portion (12) that contacts a contact of a receptacle terminal. The first plug elastic portion (13) includes a first plug spring portion (30), a second plug spring portion (31), and a first coupling portion (32). The first plug spring portion (30) is provided along a first plug side surface (S11) being a part of side surfaces of a virtual first solid (C1) having, as a plane surface, a plug plane figure (B11) containing the plug contact portion (12) when viewed from an introduction-extraction direction, and is deformable with respect to the first plug side surface (S11). The second spring portion (31) is provided along a second plug side surface (S12) being a part of the side surfaces of the first solid (C1) and having a different normal direction from the first plug side surface (S11), and is deformable with respect to the second plug side surface (S12). The first coupling portion (32) couples the first plug spring portion (30) to the second plug spring portion (31).