Rotatable Ball Connector Contact for Multi-Directional Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors fail to maintain reliable electrical connections when the counter connector terminal moves relative to the connector terminal in directions other than the insertion direction, leading to increased sliding resistance and potential reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a connector terminal with a flat connection surface, rotatable spherical balls, a ball retaining portion, and a terminal spring that presses the counter connector terminal against the connection surface, allowing the balls to move and rotate in two dimensions to maintain contact and reduce sliding resistance regardless of terminal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal balls are housed in contact housing portions that extend in parallel along the insertion direction, then sliding resistance during insertion is reduced, but the metal balls cannot move in directions perpendicular to the insertion direction, causing sliding resistance to increase when external forces cause misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The contact housing portions are designed to be movable relative to the connector terminal, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and orientation in response to external forces and misalignment, enabling the metal balls to move in multiple directions while maintaining electrical connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The contact housing portions are enabled to move not only along the insertion direction but also in directions perpendicular to it, adding dimensional freedom to the system. This allows the metal balls to compensate for misalignment in any direction, resolving the contradiction between reliable electrical connection and adaptability to external forces
2Reliability
If the connector terminal and counter connector terminal are pressed against each other with force, then electrical connection is maintained, but sliding resistance increases when misalignment occurs in directions other than insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The contact housing portions are designed to move dynamically in response to applied forces, allowing the connector to accommodate misalignment without requiring excessive insertion force. This maintains electrical connection stability while enabling smooth insertion even when directional misalignment occurs
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
This design ensures high reliability of electrical connections by reducing sliding resistance during insertion, withdrawal, and when the counter connector terminal moves relative to the connector terminal in any direction, even under external forces or vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a terminal spring that presses the counter connector terminal inserted in the counter connector terminal housing portion or the connection surface of the connector terminal in a direction in which the counter connector terminal and the connection surface approach each other
Implementation Method 2
at least one ball in a spherical shape that is disposed on the connection surface, at least a surface of the ball having electrical conductivity... allowing the balls to move and rotate in two dimensions to maintain contact and reduce sliding resistance
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector includes a connector terminal having a flat connection surface that faces a counter connector terminal, at least one spherical ball disposed on the connection surface, at least a surface of the ball having electrical conductivity, a ball retaining portion retaining the ball such that the ball is rotatable, a ball guiding portion fixed to the connector terminal and holding the ball retaining portion such that the ball retaining portion is movable in a two-dimensional manner along the connection surface, and a terminal spring pressing the counter connector terminal or the connection surface of the connector terminal in such a direction that the counter connector terminal and the connection surface approach each other.