Stacked Subconnector Positioning for High-Density Connector Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector structures face a reduction in communication performance when the number of insertion holes increases, leading to decreased alignment accuracy with the mating connector.

Innovation Solution

A connector structure featuring subconnectors with independent positioning using first and second positioning prats, optionally with a fixing member allowing movement, improves alignment accuracy by maintaining positional stability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of insertion holes is increased to accommodate more communication channels, then the communication capacity is improved, but the alignment accuracy between insertion holes and mating connector deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of insertion holesVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into multiple independent subconnectors, each with its own positioning prats. This segmentation allows each subconnector to be positioned independently with high precision using dedicated positioning features, while the overall connector can accommodate a large number of insertion holes across multiple subconnectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Positioning prats are introduced as intermediary elements between the subconnector and mating connector. These positioning prats serve as mediators that ensure accurate alignment and positioning, enabling precise alignment even when the overall number of insertion holes is large.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple subconnectors are stacked to increase communication capacity, then the quantity of channels is improved, but the positional stability of each subconnector deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of communication channelsVSAvoidpositional stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connector structure is segmented into multiple independent subconnectors, each equipped with its own first and second positioning prats. This segmentation enables independent positioning of each subconnector, maintaining positional stability even when multiple subconnectors are stacked to increase communication capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each subconnector is given local positioning features (first and second positioning prats) that provide localized positional stability. This local quality approach ensures that each subconnector maintains its position independently, preventing cumulative positioning errors when multiple subconnectors are stacked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20240413574A1Connector structure

Publication Date: 2024.12.12 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A connector structure includes a plurality of subconnectors stacked along a first direction. Each of the plurality of subconnectors includes: a front end surface parallel to the first direction; a plurality of insertion holes extending along a second direction intersecting the front end surface and opened on the front end surface; a first positioning prat located next to the plurality of insertion holes when viewed from the second direction; and a second positioning prat located next to the plurality of insertion holes when viewed from the second direction, and each of the plurality of subconnectors is positioned with respect to the mating connector by the first positioning prat and the second positioning prat.