Socket Connector Metallic Positioning Member Elastic Retention

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing socket connectors face issues with unreliable retention of electronic devices due to non-elastic plastic protrusions, which can cause either gaps or damage during insertion, and suffer from reduced productivity in attempts to achieve sufficient elasticity.

Innovation Solution

A socket connector design featuring an insulative housing with metallic and elastic positioning members, where each sidewall has protrusions with slots that house the positioning members, providing a retention force through an engaging section that deforms to securely hold the electronic device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If plastic protrusions are used in the housing, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the retention reliability is poor and may cause damage to the electronic device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidretention reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the positioning member from plastic to metal, which fundamentally alters the elastic properties. The metal positioning member can elastically deform during insertion to avoid damage to the electronic device, then maintain reliable retention, whereas plastic protrusions cannot provide sufficient elasticity or reliable retention without causing damage or gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If plastic protrusions are used in the housing, then the structure is simple, but the electronic device is either disposed without reliable retention or damaged by interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidretention reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the positioning member from plastic to metal, which fundamentally alters the elastic properties. The metal positioning member can elastically deform during insertion to avoid damage to the electronic device, then maintain reliable retention, whereas plastic protrusions cannot provide sufficient elasticity or reliable retention without causing damage or gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If push fingers are made from plastic material to achieve sufficient elasticity, then the electronic device is reliably retained, but the productivity of the insulative housing is relatively bad

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention reliabilityVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the positioning member from plastic to metal, which fundamentally alters the elastic properties. The metal positioning member can elastically deform during insertion to avoid damage to the electronic device, then maintain reliable retention, whereas plastic protrusions cannot provide sufficient elasticity or reliable retention without causing damage or gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the positioning function from the insulative housing by using separate metal positioning members that are mounted within protrusions on the housing. This allows the housing to maintain its simple plastic structure for easy manufacturing, while the metal positioning members provide the necessary elasticity and reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and retention reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the push finger is configured with a large length to meet the request of sufficient elasticity, then the electronic device is reliably retained, but the productivity of the insulative housing is relatively bad

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention reliabilityVSAvoidlength of push finger

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the positioning member from plastic to metal, which fundamentally alters the elastic properties. The metal positioning member can elastically deform during insertion to avoid damage to the electronic device, then maintain reliable retention, whereas plastic protrusions cannot provide sufficient elasticity or reliable retention without causing damage or gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures robust retention of electronic devices without damage, improving the reliability of the connector's holding mechanism while maintaining productivity by utilizing the elastic properties of the metallic positioning members.

Implementation Method 1

An elastic positioning member mounted within the protrusion has an engaging section extending into the receiving space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7883349B2Socket connector having metallic positioning member securing electronic device therein

Publication Date: 2011.02.08 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

A socket connector for receiving an electronic device includes an insulative housing with sidewalls extending upwardly and a plurality of contacts retained in the insulative housing. The sidewalls define a receiving space for the electronic device. At least one side wall is provided with a protrusion. An elastic positioning member is mounted within the protrusion and has an engaging section extending into the receiving space.