Socket Contact Tine Geometry for Higher Force and Lower Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical socket contacts with uniform tine edges fail to provide optimal contact normal force and peak stress distribution, leading to inefficiencies in electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
Designing socket contacts with tines that have two opposing edges of different lengths, forming a blunt tip, which increases contact normal force while reducing peak stress by allowing for cantilever deflection and varying slot lengths between tines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If tines are designed with uniform edges (same length), then manufacturing is simpler and structure is symmetric, but contact normal force is insufficient and peak stress is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing tines with two opposing edges of different lengths, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape. This asymmetric geometry allows the tine to deflect in a controlled manner (cantilever action) while maintaining structural integrity, thereby increasing contact normal force without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the edge lengths only at specific locations on the tine cross-section, while maintaining uniform properties elsewhere. This localized modification optimizes the contact characteristics and stress distribution without fundamentally changing the entire tine structure, balancing performance improvement with manufacturing simplicity.
2Strength
If tines are designed with uniform edges, then structural symmetry is maintained, but peak stress is high leading to potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric cross-sectional shape with edges of different lengths creates a more favorable stress distribution pattern. The longer edge provides greater material distribution to handle bending stresses, while the shorter edge reduces stress concentration, thereby decreasing peak stress and improving strength without requiring a completely different tine geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the tine cross-section by specifying edges of different lengths rather than equal lengths. This parameter modification alters the moment of inertia and stress distribution characteristics, leading to reduced peak stress under load while maintaining acceptable structural form.
3Reliability
If tines have edges of different lengths, then contact normal force increases and peak stress decreases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric edge length requirement applies only to the cross-sectional dimensions of the tine, while other critical dimensions can maintain standard tolerances. This localized precision requirement minimizes the overall impact on manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired performance improvement in contact reliability.
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 results in a 4% increase in contact normal force and a 17% decrease in peak stress when compared to socket contacts with uniform tine edges, as demonstrated through SoldWorks FEA analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The present socket contact design provides improved contact normal force and decreased peak stress when compared to a design without a taper tip (both edges of each tine having the same length)... allowing for cantilever deflection
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to electrical contacts having tines with uneven edges to provide increased contact normal force and decreased peak stress. The socket electrical contact contains a socket body that includes a base defining a longitudinal axis and tines extending from the base at spaced-apart locations around the circumference of the base. The tines extend from the base in the direction of the axis to define a pin reception zone between the tines. Each tine contains two opposing edges that have different lengths and a blunt tip.