Terminal Contact Structure for Even Pressure Under Repeated Mating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The contactability of contact points in existing terminals is reduced due to uneven contact pressure distribution, which is exacerbated by repeated mating with a mating terminal.
Innovation Solution
The terminal is designed with supporting portions of varying sizes in the circumferential and radial directions, where the supporting portions that support contact points with expected high contact pressure are made smaller to reduce contact pressure and prevent degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If contact points are positioned at different positions in the mating direction, then insertion force is reduced, but contact pressure becomes uneven causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each supporting portion have different dimensions tailored to its specific location and load requirements. Supporting portions farther from the slit are made smaller to reduce contact pressure at those locations, while supporting portions closer to the slit maintain larger dimensions. This localized differentiation ensures uniform contact pressure distribution across all contact points, preventing degradation and maintaining contactability while preserving the reduced insertion force benefit.
2Ease of manufacture
If supporting portions have the same size, then manufacturing is simplified, but contact pressure distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by specifying that supporting portions have different dimensions based on their position relative to the slit. Supporting portions farther from the slit are made smaller in the radial direction compared to those closer to the slit. This localized dimensional differentiation compensates for the uneven mechanical leverage, achieving uniform contact pressure distribution while maintaining reasonable manufacturing simplicity through a systematic size variation pattern.
3Reliability
If supporting portions are made smaller to reduce contact pressure, then contactability is maintained, but supporting portion strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively reducing the size of only those supporting portions that experience excessive contact pressure due to their position farther from the slit. Supporting portions closer to the slit maintain larger dimensions to preserve their inherent structural strength. This localized size differentiation achieves uniform contact pressure distribution and maintains contactability while preserving the necessary strength of supporting portions through strategic dimensional allocation.
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 configuration ensures that the contactability of the contact points is maintained even after repeated mating, by evenly distributing contact pressure and preventing excessive wear on supporting portions and contact points.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the supporting portions 300 is resiliently deformable and extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base portion 200
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal is connectable with a mating terminal in a front-rear direction. The terminal has a base portion, a plurality of supporting portions and a plurality of contact points. The base portion has a cylindrical shape. Each of the supporting portions is resiliently deformable and extends forward in the front-rear direction from the base portion. The supporting portions are arranged in a circumferential direction about an axis parallel to the front-rear direction. Each of the contact points is movable in a radial direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Each of some of the contact points is positioned rearward of any remaining ones of the contact points in the front-rear direction. In at least one of the circumferential direction and the radial direction, a size of each of some of the supporting portions is, at least in part, smaller than a size of any remaining ones of the supporting portions.