Socket Position Restricting Protrusion Prevents Spring Plastic Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sockets that use an operation driver to elastically deform a spring member for connecting leads often result in plastic deformation of the spring member due to erroneous operation.

Innovation Solution

A socket design featuring a position restricting protrusion on the base that comes into contact with the deformed spring member to prevent plastic deformation, along with a guide partition wall and tapered surfaces to enhance assembly precision and prevent stress concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operation driver presses and deforms the spring member to connect leads, then the connection function is achieved, but the spring member is plastically deformed due to erroneous operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidplastic deformation of spring member
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The position restricting protrusion is provided in advance on the base to prevent plastic deformation of the spring member. When the operation driver presses the spring member, the protrusion restricts the spring member's movement to prevent excessive deformation, thereby applying counter-action before erroneous operation can cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The position restricting protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the base and the spring member. It mediates the interaction by providing a physical barrier that limits the spring member's deformation range, preventing direct harmful contact between the operation driver and the spring member during erroneous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the position restricting protrusion is integrally molded with the base, then the number of parts and assembly time are reduced, but the assembly precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly productivityVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The position restricting protrusion is integrally molded with the base, merging two components into one. This combination reduces the total number of parts and eliminates assembly steps, thereby improving productivity while maintaining functional integrity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion is designed with specific local geometric features (position, shape, dimensions) that ensure precise restriction of the spring member's movement. The local quality of the protrusion's geometry compensates for the loss of assembly precision by providing built-in positioning accuracy through its integral design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the spring member is restricted to prevent plastic deformation, then the spring member's elastic deformation capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplastic deformation preventionVSAvoidelastic deformation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The position restricting protrusion applies preliminary anti-action by setting a physical limit on the spring member's deformation range. It prevents the spring member from exceeding its elastic limit during operation, thereby protecting against plastic deformation while allowing normal elastic deformation within the restricted range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion changes the operational parameters of the spring member by defining a specific deformation range. It modifies the spring member's movement parameters (position, amplitude) to remain within the elastic deformation zone, ensuring that the spring member operates within safe parameter boundaries.

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 socket effectively prevents plastic deformation of the spring member, improves assembly precision, and enhances the structural rigidity of the case cover, reducing the risk of connection failure.

Implementation Method 1

the spring member of the connection fitting being pressed and elastically deformed to sandwich a lead between the bracket and the spring member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a position restricting protrusion configured to come into contact with the pressed and deformed spring member and prevent plastic deformation is protruded on the upper surface of the base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPosition restriction through contact:

Implementation Method 3

a position restricting tapered surface which the spring member comes into planar contact with may be formed at an upper end of the position restricting protrusion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure distribution:

Data Source

PatentEP3145029B1socket
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 OMRON CORP
  • EP3145029B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3145029B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3145029B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

There is provided a socket which prevents plastic deformation of a spring member (30). A socket includes a base (10) and a connection fitting (20) including a bracket (21) and a spring member (30) and assembled to an upper surface (11b) of the base (10). The spring member (30) of the connection fitting (20) is pressed and elastically deformed to sandwich a lead between the bracket (21) and the spring member (30). More particularly, a position restricting protrusion (15) configured to come into contact with the pressed and deformed spring member (30) and prevent plastic deformation is protruded on the upper surface (11b) of the base (10).