Reversible Contact Connector for Opposite-Side Flex Conductor Exposure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors are unable to establish an electrical connection with flexible conductors exposed on the top surface of a connection object, as they are designed to contact conductors only on the bottom surface.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a housing that includes a first and second insulator, where contacts can be retained in one of two postures (180 degrees inverted) to accommodate flexible conductors on either the top or bottom surface of the connection object, ensuring electrical connection regardless of the conductor's surface exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the connector is designed to contact flexible conductors on the bottom surface only, then the connection structure is simple, but the connector cannot establish electrical connection with flexible conductors exposed on the top surface
Solution Approach 1:
The contact is designed with rotational freedom within the housing, allowing it to dynamically change its posture between first posture (contacting bottom surface conductors) and second posture (contacting top surface conductors). This dynamic adaptability enables the same connector structure to work with different conductor exposure configurations without requiring multiple specialized connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The single contact structure serves multiple functions by being capable of contacting flexible conductors regardless of whether they are exposed on the top surface or bottom surface of the connection object. The housing and contact combination acts as a universal interface that adapts to different conductor configurations through posture inversion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contact is fixed in one posture, then the manufacturing and assembly process is simple, but the connector cannot adapt to different conductor exposure orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The contact automatically adapts to the correct posture based on the conductor exposure orientation. When the housing is assembled with the connection object, the contact self-adjusts to either first or second posture depending on whether the flexible conductor is exposed on the top or bottom surface, eliminating the need for manual intervention to change contact orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact is pre-configured within the housing to be retainable in either first or second posture. The housing structure is designed in advance to accommodate both postures, so when assembly occurs, the contact is already prepared to assume the appropriate posture based on the conductor configuration, simplifying the assembly operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the contact posture is changed to accommodate different surfaces, then the connector becomes versatile, but the contact position varies which may affect alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The contact and housing are designed with asymmetric features that ensure proper orientation. The contact has a specific geometric configuration within the housing that, when inverted 180 degrees, maintains the correct spatial relationship for contacting conductors on either surface. This asymmetric design ensures that despite posture inversion, the contact consistently aligns with the conductor exposure point.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a contact retained in a housing selectively in one of a first posture and a second posture inverted 180 degrees around a fitting direction, the contact including a contact portion to be contacted with a contact of a counter connector and a connection portion to be connected to a flexible conductor of a connection object, between a case where the contact is retained in the housing in the first posture and a case where the contact is retained in the housing in the second posture, the contact portion is situated at a same position with respect to the housing and the connection portion is situated at a different position with respect to the housing, the contact being retained in the housing in, of the first posture and the second posture, a posture corresponding to an orientation of a flexible conductor exposed surface of the connection object.