Force-Distributing Spring Contacts for Precise Low-Pressure Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connections using spring contacts can cause damage to components due to excessive pressure when environmental or tolerance loads are applied, as they concentrate force on a small area.
Innovation Solution
The use of force distributing spring contacts that include a force distributor to spread the applied force over a larger surface area, reducing pressure on the second component and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a spring contact uses a concentrated contact structure (point or small area), then precise electrical connection is achieved, but excessive pressure is applied to the second component causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The contact structure is segmented into two distinct functional elements: a contact pin for precise electrical connection and a force distributor for pressure distribution. The force distributor is divided into multiple protrusions that contact different areas of the second component, spreading the force across multiple points rather than concentrating it at a single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The force distributor acts as an intermediary element between the spring contact and the second component. It receives the force from the spring contact and redistributes it to the second component through multiple protrusions, mediating the interaction to prevent direct concentration of force that would cause damage.
2Reliability
If spring force is increased to maintain reliable electrical connection under environmental loads, then connection reliability is improved, but pressure on the second component increases causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission path is segmented into two separate functions: the contact pin maintains electrical connection reliability while the force distributor handles pressure distribution. This segmentation allows the spring force to be increased for reliability without proportionally increasing the damaging pressure on the second component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the contact structure have specialized local qualities: the contact pin has a precise geometric shape for reliable electrical connection, while the force distributor has a larger surface area with multiple protrusions optimized for pressure distribution. Each component is locally optimized for its specific function.
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 force distributor effectively reduces pressure on the second component, protecting it from damage and enabling reliable electrical connections under varying environmental and tolerance conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The spring contact includes a base, a flexure coupled to the base, and a contact pin coupled to the flexure. The spring contact is affixed to the first component via the base and is configured to apply a force to the second component through the contact pin.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes techniques and apparatuses directed to force distributing spring contacts. The disclosed spring contacts electrically connect a first component to a second component within a computing device. In implementations, the computing device includes a spring contact having a flexure coupled to a contact pin and configured to apply a force to the second component through the contact pin. The contact pin can include a small or precise structure configured to provide a precise electrical connection to the second component. However, the force to the second component through the small or precise structure of the contact pin increases an applied pressure, which can damage the second component. The disclosed techniques and apparatuses describe force distributing spring contacts with a force distributor configured to distribute the force to the second component over a larger surface area, thereby decreasing the applied pressure and preventing damage to the second component.