Substrate Connector Spring Contact Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing substrate connectors require laborious soldering and risk terminal fitting damage during mating operations when connecting cables from external devices to circuit boards.

Innovation Solution

A substrate connector design featuring a connector main body with spring pieces that provide contact pressure to contact point patterns on a circuit board, eliminating the need for soldering and reducing the risk of terminal fitting damage through a butt contact mechanism and elastic deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional soldering method is used to connect terminal fitting to circuit board, then reliable conductive connection is achieved, but laborious soldering work is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional soldering process with a mechanical press-fit connection system. The terminal fitting is equipped with a press-fit portion that mechanically engages with a receiving portion on the circuit board through pressing force, eliminating the need for thermal soldering processes while achieving reliable electrical and mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection mechanism from thermal-chemical bonding (soldering) to mechanical force-based bonding (press-fit). By utilizing pressing force and elastic deformation of the press-fit portion, the connection is established through mechanical parameters rather than thermal and chemical parameters, simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If terminal fitting is mated through collision or prying action, then connection is established, but terminal fitting may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating operationVSAvoidterminal fitting damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary alignment and positioning actions before the final connection. The guide portions on the terminal fitting align with guide holes on the circuit board beforehand, ensuring proper positioning before the press-fit operation occurs, thereby preventing misalignment damage during mating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates cushioning elements and controlled deformation mechanisms that absorb and distribute connection forces. The elastic deformation of the press-fit portion and the presence of cushioning structures prevent excessive forces from damaging the terminal fitting during the mating operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If spring piece with elastic deformation is used for contact pressure, then stable conductive connection is achieved, but contact point displacement occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidcontact point positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing specific guide portions and recesses at critical locations to control the displacement of contact points. While the spring piece allows overall elastic deformation for stable contact, the localized guide structures ensure that the contact points remain precisely positioned relative to the circuit board contact pads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes dynamic elastic deformation of the spring piece to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. The spring piece can dynamically adjust its deformation to maintain optimal contact pressure while the guide portions constrain the movement to ensure precise contact point positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables easy, reliable, and stable conductive connections without soldering, reducing the risk of terminal fitting damage and improving connection reliability by using spring pieces for contact pressure and elastic displacement.

Implementation Method 1

the spring piece is configured to elastically deform when contacting the contact point patterns, thereby imparting contact pressure to the contact point patterns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9270044B2Substrate connector

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

There are provided in the substrate connector a connector main body that has a leading end face butted against the circuit board, thereby bringing leading end faces of terminal fitting, which are housed and retained in the connector main body, with contact point patterns on the circuit board, thereby butting; and a connector receiving member that is attached to the circuit board and that holds the leading end face of the connector main body butted against the surface of the circuit board. The terminal fitting is provided by spring pieces that impart predetermined contact pressure as a result of contact points, which contact the contact point patterns, experiencing elastic deformation upon contact with the corresponding contact point patterns.