Vertical Horseshoe Contact Terminal for Compact Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wire to board connectors with horizontal connection structures require a large mounting area, making them unsuitable for substrates with small sizes.

Innovation Solution

A vertical connection type electrical contact terminal with a horseshoe-shaped design, featuring support and connection plates that allow for a reduced mounting area, enabling easy application to small substrates by bending both ends of a back plate and forming a wire insertion space with locking and elastic portions for secure wire connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a horizontal connection structure is used, then the wire can be easily inserted and connected, but the mounting area becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of wire insertionVSAvoidmounting area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a horizontal connection structure to a vertical connection structure by changing the orientation of the contact terminal. The terminal is designed to stand upright on the substrate with the wire insertion port facing upward, allowing wire insertion in the vertical direction. This dimensional change reduces the mounting area footprint while maintaining ease of wire insertion and connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the mounting area is reduced for small substrates, then the connector becomes suitable for compact devices, but the wire connection stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting areaVSAvoidwire connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes in the connection plate design, specifically the locking portion geometry with interior angles between 65° and 80°, and the two-step bending structure. These parameter optimizations ensure that the wire is securely locked with sufficient retention force while maintaining a compact mounting area suitable for small substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The contact terminal features a horseshoe shape formed by bending both ends of the back plate toward the front surface. This curved geometry allows the terminal to achieve a compact form factor while maintaining structural integrity and secure wire locking capability, resolving the contradiction between small mounting area and connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Area of stationary object

If a vertical connection structure is adopted, then the mounting area is reduced, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting areaVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact terminal is segmented into distinct functional portions: support plates for mounting on the substrate, connection plates for wire locking, and specific bending portions for structural integrity. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function efficiently while maintaining overall structural simplicity despite the vertical configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple functions into the single contact terminal structure: the back plate provides support and forms the horseshoe shape, the support plates enable substrate mounting, and the connection plates perform wire locking. This integration reduces the number of separate components needed, offsetting the increased structural complexity with functional consolidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The vertical connection terminal reduces the mounting area requirement, allowing for secure and stable electrical connections on small substrates with enhanced retention force and resistance to plastic deformation, facilitating easier integration into compact electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic portion extending from the first bending portion... Each of the connection plates forms a two-step bending structure including a first bending portion bending from an upper end of the support plate, an elastic portion extending from the first bending portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The vertical connection terminal reduces the mounting area requirement, allowing for secure and stable electrical connections on small substrates with enhanced retention force and resistance to plastic deformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation resistance: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3429030B1Electrical contact terminal
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 MOLEX INC
  • EP3429030B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3429030B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3429030B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a vertical connection type contact terminal of a wire to board connector, which enables a wire to be connected in a vertical direction, and the present disclosure has a terminal formed in a horseshoe shape ('') by bending both ends of a back plate of a sheet shape toward a front surface and having one side opened, includes: one pair of support plates which bend from both ends of the back plate and define a wire insertion space therebetween, and have mounting portions formed on lower ends thereof to be mounted on a substrate; and one pair of connection plates which bend from upper ends of the one pair of support plates toward the wire insertion space inside, and connect and lock a wire, and is mounted on the substrate in an upright position to allow the wire to be connected in a vertical direction.