Rotational Electrical Connector Layout With Diode-Guided Current Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wired connectors that can rotate with respect to each other often face challenges in maintaining electrical connections consistently across different rotational orientations, leading to inefficiencies in data or power transmission.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly is designed with a first connector having a plurality of discrete terminals around a circularly symmetric surface and a second connector with terminals connected to common outflow and inflow points via diodes, allowing for electrical connections regardless of rotational orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If connectors are designed to rotate with respect to each other, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of electrical connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector terminals are segmented into multiple discrete contact points distributed around the circumference. This segmentation allows individual terminals to maintain contact regardless of rotational position, resolving the contradiction between rotational freedom and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with universal compatibility across multiple rotational orientations. The terminal arrangement and circuit configuration enable the connector to function reliably in any rotational position, making the electrical connection orientation-independent.
2Adaptability or versatility
If terminals are arranged around a circularly symmetric surface, then adaptability to rotational orientations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the overall connector maintains circular symmetry for rotational adaptability, the terminal arrangements deliberately use asymmetric configurations (different numbers of terminals on each connector). This asymmetric design within a symmetric framework simplifies the terminal layout while ensuring reliable connections across all orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to make each terminal position universally compatible, the invention inverts the approach by using diodes and terminal pairs that automatically adapt to any orientation. The circuit logic is inverted to handle any terminal pairing scenario, simplifying the physical terminal arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If diodes are added to enable multidirectional current flow, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diodes are merged into the terminal structure itself rather than being separate components. The terminal pairs and diodes are integrated in a compact arrangement that enables multidirectional current flow while minimizing overall device complexity.
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
The solution enables reliable transmission of signals or power across connectors regardless of their rotational orientation, supporting multidirectional currents and maintaining consistent output signals.
Implementation Method 1
each of the discrete second terminals: being connected to a common outflow point with an outflow diode configured to allow electric current to flow from the discrete second terminal to the outflow point, and being connected to an inflow point with an inflow diode configured to allow electric current to flow from the inflow point to the discrete second terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes first and second connectors. Each connector has a plurality of terminals spatially distributed around an axis of a circularly symmetric surface. The second connector further includes diodes to control the direction of current flow between the terminals and an outflow point and an inflow point. The number of first terminals does not equal the number of second terminals such that, when the first and second surfaces are connected, regardless of the rotational orientation of the first surface with respect to the second surface, each pair of first terminals are electrically connected to the inflow and outflow points; and no pair of first terminals are electrically connected to the same second terminal.