Split Power Connector Terminals for Heat Dissipation and Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power connectors are not suitable for certain applications due to limitations in terminal design, particularly in terms of heat dissipation and electrical contact efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power connector assembly with improved terminals, featuring split terminal pieces and elastic arms for enhanced electrical contact and heat dissipation, utilizing insulating housings with specific passageways and retaining slots for plug and receptacle connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If uncoupled contacts are used with exposed surfaces for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but the connector is not suitable for certain specific applications
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into two distinct terminal pieces (first terminal piece and second terminal piece) that are separated by a gap, allowing independent elastic arms to engage with corresponding blade contacting portions. This segmentation enables better heat dissipation while maintaining adaptability for various applications through the flexible engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms are designed to be resilient and capable of elastic deformation, allowing them to engage and disengage dynamically with the blade contacting portions. This dynamic capability enhances both heat dissipation through uncoupled contact and adaptability for different application scenarios.
2Reliability
If traditional terminal design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but electrical contact efficiency and heat dissipation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Each terminal is segmented into two distinct terminal pieces with separate elastic arms, improving electrical contact efficiency and heat dissipation. The segmentation is achieved through simple retaining slots and receiving holes in the insulating housing, minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing performance benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms are designed with specific local properties (resilience, arc contacting portions) to enhance electrical contact efficiency at the contact points, while the overall terminal structure maintains reasonable complexity through standardized retention mechanisms using retaining slots and receiving holes.
3Temperature
If uncoupled contacts converge to form blade structure, then heat dissipation is improved, but the design does not provide sufficient retention mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is segmented into two pieces with separate retention mechanisms (retaining portions for each terminal piece fit into retaining slots), providing stable retention while maintaining the uncoupled configuration for heat dissipation. The segmentation allows independent retention of each terminal piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating housing acts as an intermediary structure with retaining slots and receiving holes that provide stable retention for the terminal pieces while allowing them to maintain uncoupled positions for heat dissipation. The intermediary structure mediates between the retention requirement and heat dissipation requirement.
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
Enhances electrical connection and heat dissipation capabilities, improving the suitability of power connectors for various applications by optimizing terminal design.
Implementation Method 1
each of the receptacle terminals is composed of two distinct terminal pieces, each of the terminal pieces comprising a retaining portion retained in the retaining slot, an elastic arm with an arc contacting portion
Implementation Method 2
The uncoupled contacts have exposed surfaces to dissipate heat resulting from Joule effects
Data Source
AI summary
A power plug connector includes: an insulating housing defining a mating face and having plural passageways through the mating face, each of the passageways having a receiving hole and two retaining slots at opposite sides of the receiving hole; and plural plug terminals each received in a corresponding passageway, wherein each of the plug terminals is composed of two distinct terminal pieces each comprising a retaining portion retained in a corresponding retaining slot, a blade contacting portion extending from the retaining portion and protruding out of the mating face, and a leg portion.