Sheet Connector Contact Structure for Top- and Bottom-Side Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors are ineffective in establishing an electrical connection with conductors exposed on the bottom surface of a flexible substrate, limiting their versatility.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a plug contact with a tubular portion and flange, along with an inner contact and housing, allows for electrical connection to conductors on either the top or bottom surface of a sheet-type connection object by utilizing a recessed portion and contacting portions to ensure consistent contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the connector structure is simplified for single-surface connection, then manufacturing is easier, but adaptability to different conductor configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional components: the plug contact with flange for top-surface connection, the inner contact for bottom-surface connection, and the housing with restriction portion. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving multi-surface adaptability through the coordinated arrangement of these simple segments.
2Ease of operation
If the inner contact is allowed to rotate freely in the recessed portion, then assembly is easier, but reliable electrical contact cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction portion acts as an intermediary element between the inner contact and the housing. It provides a controlled interaction that limits rotation of the inner contact within acceptable ranges, ensuring reliable electrical contact while still allowing enough freedom for easy assembly. The restriction portion mediates between the conflicting requirements of assembly ease and contact reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector includes a plug contact having conductivity, an inner contact having conductivity and being supported while having part of the inner contact inserted in a recessed portion of the plug contact, and a housing retaining the plug contact, the inner contact having a first contacting portion that makes contact with an inner surface of the recessed portion of the plug contact, a second contacting portion that makes contact with the inner surface of the recessed portion on an opposite side from the first contacting portion across a fitting axis, a third contacting portion that faces a flange of the plug contact, and a restricted portion that makes contact with a restriction portion of the housing at a position closer to a base end of the recessed portion than the second contacting portion is.