Frame-Reinforced Receptacle Connector for Housing Deformation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Receptacle connectors with multiple pin groups face issues of housing deformation due to contact pin forces, leading to reduced contact load and suboptimal performance, especially when accommodating additional components.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a reinforced housing with a plate-like frame surrounding the protruding part and a tab for secure substrate attachment, which reduces deformation and enhances contact performance by distributing forces effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the housing walls are not connected to each other to form a space for accommodating another component, then the connector can accommodate additional components inside the housing, but the walls of the housing are more likely to be deformed by the force applied from the movable pieces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate additional componentsVSAvoidhousing wall deformation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A reinforcing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the housing walls and the movable pieces. This reinforcing member spans across the open space formed by non-connected housing walls, providing structural support and distributing the forces applied by movable pieces, thereby preventing housing wall deformation while maintaining the space for additional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If the housing walls are not connected to each other to form a space, then space for additional components is created, but the contact load of each contact pin on the substrate is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal space for componentsVSAvoidcontact performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing member acts as a mediator that maintains housing structural integrity despite the presence of internal space. By distributing forces from movable pieces to the housing structure, it ensures stable contact load transmission to the substrate, thereby maintaining reliable contact performance while accommodating additional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4379967A1Connector and assembly method of connector
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 YAMAICHI ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4379967A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4379967A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4379967A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connector 100 that is mounted on an external mount substrate 21 and in or from which an external pluggable substrate 22 is inserted or extracted in an insertion-extraction direction Die includes: pin groups 120, 130 each including a plurality of aligned contact pins; an outer housing 110 holding the pin groups 120, 130; and a frame 170 attached to the outer housing 110. The outer housing 110 has a main body 111 and a protruding part 112 which protrudes in the insertion-extraction direction Die from the main body 111 and in which a slot opening 112a in or from which the pluggable substrate 22 is inserted or extracted is formed. The frame 170 surrounds the whole circumference of the protruding part 112 and is installed on an installation surface 111b of the main body 111 substantially orthogonal to the insertion-extraction direction Die.