Electrical Receptacle Connector With Elastic Locking and Easy Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for board-to-board connections face issues such as wasted space on motherboards due to edge soldering, potential damage from long-term use, and complex unlocking procedures that risk damaging mating structures.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector assembly features a plug connector with plug fixation members and a receptacle connector with receptacle fixation members, including limiting elastic arms and elastic pieces, which securely mate and allow easy detachment without damaging the connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical connector uses traditional mating structures with edge soldering, then the connector can be securely attached, but it requires larger space on the motherboard and wastes board area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from edge soldering (2D surface mounting) to through-hole mounting (3D volumetric utilization). The receptacle connector is mounted perpendicular to the motherboard surface, extending into the third dimension, thereby reducing the footprint area while maintaining secure attachment through depth rather than surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug connector is inserted into and nested within the receptacle connector housing. The male terminals are received within the female terminals, creating a nested configuration that maximizes space efficiency. The fixation members are nested within the connection spaces of the receptacle connector, further optimizing the use of available volume.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the electrical connector uses traditional mating structures, then it can provide stable connection, but it may be damaged or broken under long-time use
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation members incorporate elastic arms that can dynamically adjust during mating and unmating operations. The elastic arms flex to accommodate insertion forces and then resiliently return to their original position, absorbing mechanical stress and preventing damage to the rigid connector bodies over repeated use cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms are pre-configured in a resilient state that allows them to absorb impact and shock during mating operations. This beforehand cushioning protects the rigid connector structures from damage by dissipating mechanical energy through elastic deformation before it can reach critical components.
3Reliability
If the electrical connector uses traditional locking mechanisms with specific keys, then it can prevent accidental detachment, but it requires complex unlocking procedures that risk damaging mating structures
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation members are designed to be self-operating through push buttons that directly actuate the elastic arms. The operator simply presses the push button, and the mechanism automatically releases the engagement without requiring separate keys or complex procedures. The system serves itself by integrating the actuation mechanism directly into the fixation structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex key-based locking mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simplified push-button system. The essential function of preventing accidental detachment is maintained through the elastic arm engagement, while the unnecessary complexity of keys and multi-step procedures is removed, leaving only the essential securing and releasing actions.
4Strength
If the electrical connector uses fixed rigid structures, then it can provide strong mechanical strength, but it cannot accommodate misalignment or variation in positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic arms change their physical state from a relaxed configuration to a compressed or extended configuration during mating. This parameter change allows the rigid connector bodies to accommodate positioning variations while maintaining strong mechanical engagement. The elastic deformation absorbs dimensional tolerances and misalignment without compromising the strength of the connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Only specific portions of the connector (the elastic arms and engagement surfaces) are designed with flexible or compliant properties, while the main connector bodies remain rigid for structural strength. This localized flexibility allows the system to accommodate positioning variations only where needed, without sacrificing overall mechanical strength.
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 ensures secure mating and easy detachment of the electrical plug connector from the receptacle connector, preventing damage and optimizing space usage, while simplifying the unlocking process.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the two second engaging portions comprises a limiting elastic arm. When the electrical plug connector is mated with the electrical receptacle connector, the two first engaging portions respectively abut against the two second engaging portions, so that each of the two limiting elastic arms is moved from a normal position toward the side wall of the receptacle insulated housing adjacent to the second engaging portion. When each of the two first engaging portions is moved to an engaged position, the two limiting elastic arms are resiliently moved to the normal position to limit movements of the two first engaging portions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical plug connector and an electrical receptacle connector. The electrical plug connector includes plug fixation members. The electrical receptacle connector includes receptacle fixation members. Through the engagement between the plug fixation member and the receptacle fixation member, upon using the electrical connector assembly, the electrical plug connector can be ensured not to detach from the electrical receptacle connector. Moreover, with simple operations of the plug fixation member and the receptacle fixation member, the electrical plug connector can be detached from the electrical receptacle connector smoothly.