Quick-Release Electrical Connector With Elastic Contacting Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies face difficulties in disengagement when the pulling force is applied at an angle oblique to the mating direction, making it hard to disconnect the plug connector from the socket connector.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an insulative housing with a mating cavity and a receiving groove that allows for easy disconnection by using an elastic contacting portion and inverted U-shaped contacting arms, enabling the second connector to be rotated and disconnected even when force is applied obliquely, with a pivot point that facilitates disengagement without getting stuck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contacting post is deeply inserted into the receiving room to ensure steady retention, then the interconnection reliability is improved, but the disengagement becomes difficult when the pulling force is applied at an angle oblique to the mating direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the contacting portion elastic and movable rather than rigid and fixed. The elastic contacting portion can deflect and rotate within the receiving groove, allowing the connector to adapt to oblique pulling forces during disengagement. This dynamic capability enables the connector to be pulled out easily even at angles, resolving the contradiction between steady retention and easy disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the contacting portion from rigid to elastic, and modifies the geometry by providing a receiving groove instead of a simple receiving room. The elastic contacting portion can change its position and orientation within the groove, allowing it to maintain reliable connection during insertion while facilitating easy removal during disengagement by rotating and deflecting under oblique forces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the contacting post is deeply inserted to ensure steady gripping, then the connection stability is improved, but the connector gets stuck when force is applied normal to the plug direction
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic contacting portion provides dynamic movement capability, allowing it to deflect and rotate within the receiving groove when oblique forces are applied. This prevents the connector from getting stuck by enabling the contacting portion to move out of the way during disengagement, while still maintaining stable connection during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving groove acts as an intermediary structure that guides and constrains the movement of the elastic contacting portion. It provides a controlled path for the contacting portion to move during disengagement, facilitating easy removal while maintaining connection stability during insertion and normal operation.
3Strength
If the contacting post is deeply inserted into the receiving room, then the retention strength is improved, but the disengagement requires precise alignment and proper force direction
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic contacting portion can dynamically adjust its position and orientation within the receiving groove during disengagement. When force is applied, the contacting portion can rotate and deflect, allowing disengagement without requiring precise alignment or specific force direction, thus simplifying the disengagement operation while maintaining retention strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rigidity parameter of the contacting portion by making it elastic rather than rigid. This allows the contacting portion to deform and rotate under load, enabling easy disengagement in various directions while maintaining strong retention during normal connection. The receiving groove geometry also changes the constraint parameters, allowing controlled movement during removal.
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
Enables rapid and easy disconnection of the second connector from the first connector, even when the force is applied in a direction normal to the mating direction, ensuring smooth operation and preventing the connector from getting stuck during disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
The first contact is retained in the receiving groove with an elastic contacting portion running through the supporting face and projecting into the mating cavity
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a first and second contact received in the housing. The housing defines a mating face, a rear face opposite to the mating face, and a supporting face disposed between the mating and rear faces. A mating cavity recesses from the mating face towards the supporting face and disposed therebetween, and a receiving groove recesses forwards from the rear face and runs through the supporting face to communicate with the mating cavity. The first contact is retained in the receiving groove with an elastic contacting porting running through the supporting face and projecting into the mating cavity. The second contact is retained in the housing and includes two opposite second contacting portions disposed at two opposite sides of the elastic contacting portion of the first contact. A mating connector can be rotated to disengage from the electrical connector.