Spring-Loaded Connector Structure to Prevent Terminal Contact Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors experience wear and reliability issues due to the sliding motion of terminals during insertion and withdrawal, leading to impaired electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a spring member retaining portion with a pressing portion and projection accommodation portions that allow terminals to be connected without direct rubbing, using a spring member to maintain contact pressure and prevent wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second terminal is inserted between the pair of elastic contact pieces during connection, then electrical connection is established, but the slid portions of the elastic contact pieces and the second terminal are easily worn due to constant sliding motion and elastic force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressing portion as an intermediary element that transfers the pressing force from the elastic contact piece to the second terminal through a projection. This mediator reduces direct sliding contact between the elastic contact piece and the terminal body, thereby reducing wear while maintaining electrical connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the contact interface into distinct functional zones: the sliding portion between the elastic contact piece and pressing portion, and the contact portion between the projection and second terminal. This segmentation allows the sliding wear to occur in a dedicated area rather than at the electrical contact points, protecting the contact surfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the first terminal and the second terminal are moved relatively to each other during use, then the connector adapts to external forces, but the slid portions between the elastic contact pieces and the second terminal are easily worn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including the elastic contact piece that can deform and the projection that can move vertically within its accommodation portion. This dynamic structure allows the connector to adapt to external forces while maintaining stable electrical contact, as the projection can shift position without causing sliding wear at the contact interface.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional elastic contact piece structure is used, then simple insertion and withdrawal operation is enabled, but direct rubbing between sliding surfaces causes wear and reliability impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion serves as a mediator that receives the elastic force from the contact piece and transfers it to the terminal through the projection. This intermediary structure enables simple insertion and withdrawal operations while preventing direct rubbing between the elastic contact piece and terminal body, thus maintaining 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 design significantly reduces wear on contact points, ensuring high reliability and stable electrical connections by preventing direct contact between sliding surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member 13F which is bent in a state in which a tip end thereof presses a pressed portion 12B of the second terminal 12 in a direction toward the first terminal 11
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector includes a spring member attached to a first terminal and configured to press a second terminal toward the first terminal, the first terminal including a first opposing surface and a first contact portion facing the second terminal, the second terminal including a second opposing surface opposing the first opposing surface and a second contact portion facing the first terminal, one of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface being provided with a projection projecting toward another of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface, the another being provided with a projection accommodation portion of recess shape for accommodating the projection, the second terminal being inserted between the first opposing surface and the spring member.