SIM Card Connector Terminal Design for Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional SIM card connectors face issues with terminal structures becoming stuck due to the design of first and second terminals, which leads to increased volume and size, hindering the miniaturization of cell phones.
Innovation Solution
The proposed SIM card connector features an insulating body with first and second slots, where first terminals have a U-shaped resilient portion and a buffering portion to distribute stress, and second terminals have a curved design to prevent sticking, allowing for a more compact structure by aligning the stress distribution and preventing contact between the first contacting portions and soldering areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first terminals and second terminals are designed with longer base portions inserted into the insulating body in opposite directions, then the terminal structure can provide stable electrical connection, but the volume of the SIM card connector becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the insertion direction of terminal base portions from opposite directions (conventional) to the same direction (front end). This dimensional reconfiguration allows the insulating body to accommodate all terminal base portions within a compact footprint, reducing overall connector volume while maintaining stable electrical connections through proper terminal arrangement in the front row.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the insertion approach by having all terminal base portions (both first and second terminals) inserted from the same front end direction rather than opposite directions. This consolidation of insertion direction enables more efficient space utilization within the insulating body, reducing the connector's overall volume while preserving connection reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the first elastic contact pieces and second elastic contact pieces are disposed in opposite directions, then the terminal structure can accommodate SIM card insertion, but the first terminals are apt to contact with soldering areas causing sticking phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by disposing both first elastic contact pieces and second elastic contact pieces in the same direction (towards the rear end) rather than opposite directions. This reversal prevents the first contacting portions from contacting soldering areas during SIM card insertion, eliminating the sticking phenomenon while maintaining full adaptability for SIM card insertion and electrical connection.
3Volume of stationary object
If the SIM card connector is miniaturized to reduce cell phone size, then the cell phone becomes smaller and lighter, but the terminal structure becomes more prone to deformation and harder to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the terminal structure into distinct first terminals and second terminals with clearly defined functions and positions within the insulating body. This segmentation allows for modular assembly where terminals are independently positioned and fixed, facilitating easier manufacturing and assembly processes even in miniaturized connectors while maintaining structural stability through proper spatial arrangement.
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 effectively prevents terminal sticking and reduces the size of the terminal structure, enabling a more compact SIM card connector that is less prone to deformation and easier to assemble, thus addressing the size and stability issues in conventional connectors.
Implementation Method 1
The first base portion has a first resilient portion which is bent to be U-shaped... The flanks of two sides of the buffering portion are close to the first resilient portion and are cooperated to be assembled between spaces of the limiting slots of the two side walls of the one first slot to buffer a stress force of the first contacting portion
Data Source
AI summary
A SIM card connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals. The insulating body has a plurality of first slots and a plurality of second slots. Each side wall of each first slot has a limiting slot. The plurality of the first terminals are inserted into the plurality of the first slots. Each first terminal has a first base portion, a first soldering portion connected with a lower end of the first base portion, and a first contacting portion connected with an upper end of the first base portion. The plurality of the second terminals are inserted into the plurality of the second slots. Each second terminal has a second contacting portion slantwise extended towards a rear end of the insulating body and exposed beyond a top surface of the insulating body.