Reinforced Connector Housing for Wide Spring Strip Contacts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors degrade in strength due to the formation of concave portions on the opposing wall portions to accommodate wider elastic strips for power supply terminals, compromising the housing's integrity.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with reinforcing brackets that incorporate cantilever-shaped spring strips positioned on the island-shaped portion, allowing elastic deformation without reducing the thickness of the peripheral wall, and integrating guide and protection portions to enhance structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the width of the elastic strip is increased to increase cross-sectional area for power supply terminals, then the current capacity is improved, but the strength of the holding member is degraded due to larger concave portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the concave portion from the first opposing wall portion (vertical dimension) to the island-shaped portion (horizontal dimension), allowing the elastic strip to deform horizontally rather than vertically. This dimensional shift enables wider elastic strips for power supply without compromising the vertical thickness and strength of the holding member's wall portions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If concave portions are formed along the entire length of the first opposing wall portions to accommodate elastic strips, then the elastic deformation capability is improved, but the thickness and strength of the wall portions are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the concave portion from the first opposing wall portion and relocates it to the island-shaped portion. This separation allows the wall portions to maintain their full thickness and structural integrity while the island-shaped portion provides the necessary deformation space for the elastic strip through its dedicated concave portion.
3Power
If the width of the spring strip is increased for power supply terminals, then the current capacity is improved, but the size of the concave portion must be increased further degrading housing strength
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the concave portion to the island-shaped portion, the patent enables wider spring strips for power supply terminals without increasing the size of concave portions in the wall portions. The housing strength is preserved because the wall portions maintain their original dimensions while the island-shaped portion accommodates the larger spring strip width in its concave portion.
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
Maintains the housing's strength even when the spring strips are widened for power supply, preventing damage from external forces during mating and unmating, while ensuring effective contact with mating connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a concave portion that allows elastic deformation of the spring strip, which is brought into contact with the mating connector and elastically deforms
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing, two reinforcing brackets that are incorporated in both respective end portions in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and terminals that are arranged on and held by the housing between the two reinforcing brackets. The housing includes an island-shaped portion, a peripheral wall, and an accommodating concave portion that is formed between the peripheral wall and the island-shaped portion so as to accommodate a fitting portion of a mating connector. Each of the reinforcing brackets includes a protection portion, a guide portion, and a spring strip. The spring strip is formed in a cantilever shape, and the spring strip is positioned on an inner side compared to the protection portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing. A concave portion that allows elastic deformation of the spring strip is formed on a side surface of the island-shaped portion.