Terminal Offset Shoulder Design for Connector Insertion Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of electrical connectors results in terminals being positioned closer together, leading to inadequate support during insertion into housings, potentially causing incomplete insertion or damage, and insufficient support for forming reliable electrical connections with printed circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A terminal design featuring a shoulder with a central axis offset from the connection section's central axis, providing a wider surface area for tooling engagement and support, ensuring proper insertion and secure connection to the printed circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If terminals are positioned closer together to miniaturize the electrical connector, then the size of the electrical connector decreases, but the tooling can only engage a small portion of the shoulder providing improper support for inserting the terminal into the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the shoulder central axis from the pin central axis. This creates an asymmetric shoulder structure where one side extends further than the other, allowing tooling to engage a larger portion of the shoulder surface even when terminals are closely spaced, thereby providing proper insertion support while maintaining miniaturization
2Volume of moving object
If terminals are positioned closer together, then the electrical connector is miniaturized, but the shoulders do not provide adequate support when pressing the pins into the printed circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric shoulder design with offset central axis provides extended surface area on one side, which serves as a broader support base when pressing pins into the PCB. This prevents pin damage and ensures complete electrical connections even in miniaturized connectors with reduced spacing
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal includes a first connection section having a first connection central axis extending centrally though the first connection section along a longitudinal direction and a shoulder having a first surface extending normal to the longitudinal direction at an end of the first connection section. The shoulder has a width greater than the first connection section in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and has a shoulder central axis extending centrally though the shoulder along the longitudinal direction. The shoulder central axis is offset from the first connection central axis in the width direction.