U-Shaped Connector Contact for Downsizing and Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector designs fail to achieve downsizing in both the longitudinal pitch and lateral width directions while maintaining structural strength and stable contact reliability.
Innovation Solution
A contact structure with a U-shaped main body and protruding contact pieces, featuring curved contact portions for roll-face contact, and a securing portion for retention within an insulating object, allowing for effective mating length and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional contact structures are used, then contact reliability can be maintained, but downsizing in longitudinal pitch direction and lateral width direction cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The contact structure is divided into multiple functional segments: a main body portion with U-shaped cross section, multiple contact pieces protruding from side walls, and curved contact portions at free ends. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while contributing to overall compactness, enabling downsizing without compromising contact reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The contact structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by having contact pieces protrude from side walls in directions extending along the mating direction, with curved contact portions positioned to engage with the counterpart object. This multi-dimensional configuration maximizes contact effectiveness within a minimized footprint, achieving downsizing in both longitudinal and lateral directions
2Volume of moving object
If connector size is reduced, then downsizing is achieved, but structural strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The contact structure employs a main body portion with U-shaped cross section formed by close-contact bending, creating a composite-like structural integrity. The combination of the main body with multiple protruding contact pieces and curved contact portions forms an integrated structure that maintains high strength-to-size ratio, ensuring structural strength is not compromised despite downsizing
3Volume of moving object
If contact structure is simplified for downsizing, then manufacturing ease improves, but contact reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple contact functions are merged into a single integrated contact structure. The main body portion with U-shaped cross section serves as both the structural core and the mounting platform for multiple contact pieces. The curved contact portions at the free ends of these contact pieces provide reliable engagement with the counterpart object, achieving both simplification for downsizing and maintained contact reliability
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 downsizing of connectors in both directions without compromising strength, ensuring stable and reliable connections, and allowing for common use in single or double electric contacts.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second contact portions being configured to come into roll-face contact with the counterpart object
Data Source
AI summary
A contact configured to be retained and arranged in an insulating object includes a contact portion that is configured to come into contact with a counterpart object, a connecting portion connectable to an object to be connected, a main body portion having two side walls and a joining wall that joins the side walls, the main body portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section, first and second contact pieces protruding from the two side walls and extending along a direction of mating with a counterpart object, and first and second contact portions disposed at free end parts of the first and second contact pieces, respectively. The first and second contact portions each has a curved shape and configured to come into contact with the same surface of the counterpart object. The first and second contact portions are spaced apart along the direction of mating, the first and second contact portions being configured to come into roll-face contact with the counterpart object.