Socket Terminal Design for Compact Connector Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face challenges in reducing the width dimension while preventing solder from adhering to portions of the socket-side terminals other than the root portions, which affects the spring performance and overall connector design.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a socket-side terminal with a root portion fixed to a circuit board using solder, a rising portion, an inverted U-shaped portion, a falling portion, and an inclined portion that is angled to prevent solder adherence, allowing for a reduced connector width without compromising spring performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the distances between the root portions of the socket-side terminals and the other portions are shortened to reduce connector width, then the width dimension of the connector is reduced, but solder adheres to portions other than the root portions causing deterioration of spring performance
Solution Approach 1:
The socket-side terminal is divided into distinct functional portions: a root portion for solder attachment, a rising portion, an inverted U-shaped portion, a falling portion, and a facing portion. This segmentation allows the solder to be confined to the root portion while maintaining adequate spacing from the spring portions (inverted U-shaped and falling portions), thus preventing solder adherence to spring portions even in a compact width dimension
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the socket-side terminal are designed with different geometries and functions. The root portion has a specific shape optimized for solder attachment, while the spring portions (inverted U-shaped and falling portions) have geometries optimized for elastic deformation. The inclined portion creates a localized geometry that directs solder flow away from the spring portions, ensuring each portion maintains its optimal properties without interference from solder
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 configuration effectively prevents solder from adhering to non-root portions of the socket-side terminals, enabling a reduction in connector width while maintaining the spring performance and reliability of the electrical connection.
Implementation Method 1
a root portion fixed to a conductor wiring pattern on a principal surface of a circuit board using solder
Data Source
AI summary
A socket-side terminal includes: a root section that is fixed to a conductive wiring pattern on the main surface of a circuit wiring substrate by using solder; a rising section rising up from the root section and spaced apart from the main surface; an inverted U-shaped section one end of which is continuous with the top end of the rising section; a falling section that extends from the other end of the inverted U-shaped section towards the main surface; an inclined section that, as the inclined section extends from the bottom end of the falling section towards the main surface, is inclined with respect to the main surface to be spaced apart from the rising section; and an opposing section that is continuous with the bottom end of the inclined section, is positioned so as to be opposing the falling section, and is in contact with a header-side terminal.