Relay Connector Structure for Flexible Communication Port Changes

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle communication connectors require replacing the entire substrate when changing the number of communication ports, which is inefficient and costly due to the soldering process.

Innovation Solution

A communication connector apparatus with a relay connector that can be easily attached and removed from the circuit substrate, allowing for changes in the number of communication ports without replacing the substrate, using a housing with a front cover that can be adjusted to match the relay connector's port configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the substrate connector is fixed to the substrate by soldering, then the connection is reliable and stable, but changing the number of communication ports requires replacing both the substrate connector and the substrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to communication device changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connector system is divided into two separable parts: a substrate connector fixed to the substrate by soldering, and a relay connector that can be attached and detached from the substrate connector. This segmentation allows the relay connector to be changed independently to adapt to different communication device configurations while the substrate connector remains fixed and reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The relay connector is designed with dynamic attachable and removable characteristics, allowing it to be connected to or disconnected from the substrate connector as needed. This dynamic design enables flexible adaptation to changing communication requirements without compromising the stable soldered connection of the substrate connector to the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the substrate connector is fixed by soldering, then the connection is stable, but the complexity of replacing the entire substrate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of substrate replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector system is divided into two separable parts: a substrate connector fixed to the substrate by soldering, and a relay connector that can be attached and detached from the substrate connector. This segmentation allows the relay connector to be changed independently to adapt to different communication device configurations while the substrate connector remains fixed and reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The relay connector is extracted as a separate, independently replaceable component from the substrate connector assembly. This extraction allows the relay connector to be removed and replaced without affecting the substrate connector or the substrate, significantly reducing the complexity of adaptation work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of communication ports is changed by replacing the substrate connector, then the communication configuration is updated, but the cost increases due to substrate replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication port configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The connector system is divided into two separable parts: a substrate connector fixed to the substrate by soldering, and a relay connector that can be attached and detached from the substrate connector. This segmentation allows the relay connector to be changed independently to adapt to different communication device configurations while the substrate connector remains fixed and reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The relay connector is designed as a replaceable component that can be discarded and replaced without affecting the substrate connector or substrate. This allows for cost-effective adaptation by only replacing the necessary relay connector rather than the entire substrate assembly, reducing material waste and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS20250007219A1Communication connector apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD

AI summary

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to accommodate changes in communication devices without replacing a circuit substrate. A communication connector apparatus includes: a circuit substrate having a substrate-side connector mounted thereon; and a relay connector including a connection port to which a device-side connector of a communication conductive path is to be connected, and being attachable to and removable from the substrate-side connector. In the case of changing the number and the transmission speed of communication devices, the relay connector may be replaced with a relay connector corresponding to the number and the transmission speed of the connection ports, and there is no need to replace the circuit substrate. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to accommodate changes in the communication devices without replacing the circuit substrate.