U-Shaped Receptacle Terminal for Misaligned Mating Robustness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacle connectors lack robustness against misaligned mating without compromising the springiness of the terminal.
Innovation Solution
The receptacle connector design includes a U-shaped power supply terminal that straddles the peripheral wall, with an inward contact piece and an outward piece that move in the same direction relative to the peripheral wall during mating, maintaining springiness and enhancing robustness against misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the contact arm is designed to be lower than the top side wall reinforcing part to prevent buckling, then the robustness against buckling is improved, but the robustness against misaligned mating deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is segmented into three distinct parts: an inward contact piece, an outward piece, and a coupling piece. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the inward contact piece contacts the opponent connector, the coupling piece connects to the housing, and the outward piece extends outward. This segmentation enables the terminal to maintain structural integrity while accommodating misalignment through the flexible coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal is designed with dynamic characteristics through the coupling piece that allows relative movement between the inward contact piece and the outward piece. When misalignment occurs, the coupling piece enables the terminal to flex and adapt rather than rigidly resist, maintaining electrical connection while absorbing the misalignment stress.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outward piece is fixed relative to the peripheral wall to improve stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the springiness of the terminal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the terminal have different mechanical properties and degrees of freedom. The coupling piece is designed with specific local qualities that allow controlled flexibility, while the outward piece maintains structural stability. This local differentiation enables the terminal to have both stability and springiness in the appropriate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling piece introduces dynamic characteristics to the terminal structure, allowing it to flex and recover. This dynamic design enables the terminal to maintain contact pressure and springiness while the outward piece remains relatively stable, achieving a balance between stability and elasticity.
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 improves the robustness of the terminal against misaligned mating while preserving the springiness, ensuring stable electrical connections and reducing the risk of buckling distortion.
Implementation Method 1
the inward contact piece moves toward the peripheral wall by contact with the opponent connector, and the outward piece moves away from the peripheral wall
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle hold-down includes a power supply terminal disposed on a peripheral wall. The power supply terminal is formed in a U-shape opening in a mating direction of a plug connector so as to straddle the peripheral wall, and thereby includes an inward contact piece located on an inner side relative to the peripheral wall and extending in the mating direction, an outward piece located on an outer side relative to the peripheral wall and extending in the mating direction, and a coupling piece coupling the inward contact piece and the outward piece. A gap exists between the inward contact piece and the peripheral wall. When the plug connector mates with the receptacle connector, the inward contact piece moves toward the peripheral wall by contact with the plug connector, and the outward piece moves away from the peripheral wall.