Rockable Connector Terminals Coupled for Reliable Multi-Point Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector devices with rockable adapters face challenges in connecting multiple adapters to second connectors simultaneously due to potential tilting in different directions, making it difficult to achieve reliable connections.
Innovation Solution
A connector device with a housing, fixed terminal units, movable terminal units that are individually rockable with the fixed terminal units as fulcrums, and a coupling member with a hooking portion that integrally rocks the movable terminal units, ensuring they maintain a fixed positional relationship for reliable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adapter is freely rockable with respect to the first connector, then the adapter can tilt to absorb position deviations of the first and second connectors, but each adapter possibly tilts in a different direction making it difficult to connect multiple adapters to second connectors at once
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independently rockable terminal units into a single integrated rocking unit where multiple terminal units are coupled together and rock as one body. This is achieved by providing a rocking unit that includes a first terminal unit and a second terminal unit, where the second terminal unit rocks integrally with the first terminal unit about a fulcrum. This integration ensures that all terminal units tilt in unison, maintaining proper alignment for simultaneous connection while still absorbing position deviations through the controlled rocking motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic rocking mechanism that allows the terminal units to adapt their orientation based on position deviations. The rocking unit is designed to rotate about a fulcrum point, enabling controlled tilting motion that absorbs misalignment between connectors. The dynamic nature of this rocking mechanism allows the system to maintain connection reliability by adjusting to position deviations while keeping all terminal units synchronized in their movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adapters are allowed to tilt independently, then each adapter can individually absorb position deviations, but it becomes difficult to connect a plurality of adapters to second connectors simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple terminal units into a single rocking unit that moves as one integrated structure. The first terminal unit and second terminal unit are coupled within the same rocking unit, sharing a common fulcrum and rocking together. This merging allows the system to maintain individual position adjustment capability through the rocking motion while ensuring synchronized movement of all terminal units, enabling simultaneous connection to multiple second connectors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the adapter tilts to absorb position deviations, then connection is achieved, but the fixed positional relationship between multiple terminal units is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple terminal units into a single rocking unit where they maintain fixed positional relationships relative to each other. The first terminal unit and second terminal unit are structurally integrated within the rocking unit, with their positions fixed relative to the common fulcrum. When the rocking unit tilts to absorb position deviations, all terminal units move together as one rigid body, preserving their internal positional relationships while achieving external adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the connector into distinct functional units: fixed terminal units mounted on the circuit board, and rocking terminal units that can tilt. Within each rocking unit, terminal units maintain fixed positional relationships, but the entire rocking unit can segment from the fixed structure and tilt independently to compensate for position deviations. This segmentation allows simultaneous maintenance of internal stability and external adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to provide a connector device excellent in the reliability of a connecting operation. A connector device (A) is provided with a second housing (21) to be mounted on a second circuit board (C), a plurality of fixed terminal units (28) to be mounted in the second housing (21) and connected to the second circuit board (C), a plurality of movable terminal units (35) individually rockable with the plurality of fixed terminal units (28) as fulcrums and to be being individually connected to a plurality of first terminal units (16), and a coupling member 50 including a hooking portion (51) to be hooked to the plurality of movable terminal units (35), the coupling member 50 integrally rocking the plurality of movable terminal units (35).