Staggered Electrical Connector Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors face issues such as short circuits, poor signal contact, increased space requirements, and terminal damage due to dense terminal arrangements and improper elastic arm designs, which hinder efficient transmission and durability.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector features an insulating body with inverted L-shaped accommodating troughs and protective blocks, where rear row terminals' elastic arms are positioned between front row terminals, and protruding protective blocks support the chip, preventing short circuits and allowing denser terminal arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If terminals are arranged more densely to increase transmission efficiency, then the number of terminals increases, but the available space on the mainboard decreases and short circuit risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement pattern from traditional grid to a staggered configuration where rear row terminals are positioned in the gaps between front row terminals. This dimensional repositioning allows denser terminal packing without proportionally increasing the overall connector footprint, thereby improving transmission efficiency while controlling space occupation on the mainboard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the elastic arms of rear row terminals to be nested between the elastic arms of front row terminals. This nesting arrangement maximizes the use of available space by placing terminals in the interstices of the front row structure, enabling higher terminal density without linearly increasing the connector's external dimensions.
2Productivity
If terminals are arranged more densely, then transmission efficiency increases, but elastic arms of adjacent terminals easily contact each other causing short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the elastic arms of rear row terminals in the vertical gaps between the elastic arms of front row terminals. This vertical staggering in the third dimension prevents lateral contact between adjacent terminals while maintaining dense horizontal packing, thus improving transmission efficiency without compromising short circuit prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning where rear row terminals are offset relative to front row terminals rather than being directly aligned. This asymmetric arrangement creates natural spacing between elastic arms of adjacent terminals, preventing contact and short circuits while allowing denser overall terminal density for improved transmission efficiency.
3Strength
If elastic arm extends obliquely from base to increase flexibility, then elasticity improves, but contact between chip and contacting portion becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the elastic arm with a two-stage configuration: an oblique initial section from the base providing elasticity and shock absorption, followed by a vertical distal section ensuring reliable contact with the chip. This dynamic geometric transition allows the elastic arm to both flex effectively and maintain stable electrical contact under compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the elastic arm into functionally distinct segments: a base section extending obliquely for elastic deformation and a distal contacting portion extending vertically for stable contact. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its function - the oblique section provides flexibility while the vertical section ensures good electrical contact with the chip.
4Ease of manufacture
If volume of terminal is maintained constant, then manufacturing is easier, but accommodating hole size cannot be reduced so space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the rear row terminals within the structural framework created by the front row terminals, specifically positioning rear row elastic arms between front row elastic arms. This nesting allows the use of standard terminal volumes for ease of manufacture while achieving higher effective density by utilizing the three-dimensional space more efficiently, thereby reducing overall space occupation.
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 design effectively prevents short circuits, enhances transmission efficiency by increasing terminal density, and protects terminals from damage by distributing the chip's force, ensuring reliable electrical connections and reduced space occupation.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the terminals has a base received in the accommodating hole, an elastic arm extending upwards and obliquely from the base to protrude partially outside of the accommodating hole
Implementation Method 2
When the chip is mounted on the insulating body, the chip is pressed to contact the contacting portions of the terminals
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulating body, which has plural front and rear rows of accommodating troughs for receiving electrical conductive terminals, and two protective blocks protruded upwardly. The accommodating portion has a first accommodating portion, a second accommodating portion extending laterally from the first accommodating portion, and a third accommodating portion extending rearwards from the first accommodating portion. A rear row of the second accommodating portions are located behind the adjacent front row of third accommodating portions. The electrical conductive terminal has a base, a material-belt connecting portion extending from one side of the base, an elastic arm extending from the elastic arm. The elastic arm is adjacent to and exceeds the material-belt connecting portion. The elastic arms of the rear row of the electrical conductive terminals are located between the two adjacent elastic arms of the front row of the electrical conductive terminals.