Angled Connector Shielding via Nested Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of manufacturing and assembly of angled connectors with shielding plates on or in the insulating housing increases the difficulty of producing and attaching effective electromagnetic interference shielding, making existing connectors cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A right-angle connector design featuring an insulating housing with integrated one-piece or segmented shielding plates that are stamped, bent, and inserted from the rear, forming a shielded channel, with spring tongues for contact and fastening elements to simplify assembly and manufacturing, reducing the number of parts and enhancing ease of handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If shielding plates are arranged on the outside of the insulating housing, then electromagnetic interference shielding is achieved, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interference shieldingVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding plates are integrated into the insulating housing as a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate attachment steps. The housing and shielding plates form a single component that is molded together, reducing the number of parts and simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes while maintaining effective electromagnetic shielding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding plates are nested within recesses or cavities in the insulating housing, with portions extending outward to provide shielding coverage. This nested arrangement allows the shielding function to be incorporated within the housing structure itself, reducing overall complexity while maintaining shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple separate shielding plates are used, then comprehensive shielding coverage is achieved, but the number of parts and assembly steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding coverageVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple shielding plates are merged into a single integrated structure that is molded as one piece with the insulating housing. This unified shielding assembly provides comprehensive coverage across all necessary areas while reducing the part count from multiple separate plates to a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated shielding structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic shielding coverage, maintains structural integrity of the housing, and eliminates the need for separate fastening components. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of parts required while achieving comprehensive shielding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process by reducing the number of parts and providing effective electromagnetic interference shielding, allowing for easier handling and integration with printed circuit boards while maintaining durability without the need for external coatings.

Implementation Method 1

The first shielding and the second shielding have at least one spring tongue stamped in or out of the metal sheet for making contact with contacts of a corresponding plug within the plug-in area of the plug-in face of the insulating housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The two shields represent, for example, two or more shielding plates that shield electromagnetic interference fields from the signal contacts and divert the interference currents and reverse currents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 3

In particular, the fastening elements and/or fastening sections can be pressed or overpressed into recesses provided on the insulating body, so that a frictional connection is created

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3637556B1Angled connector with shielding
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 EPT HLDG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3637556B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3637556B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3637556B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An angled connector 1 has an insulating housing 2 made of plastic and a two-part shield, consisting of a first (upper) shielding plate 4 and a second (lower) shielding plate 5. The shielding plate 4 is formed in one piece. The shields 4 and 5 are arranged at least partially inside the insulating housing 2. The shields 4 and 5 can be easily punched or cut from a sheet of metal, then bent and inserted into the insulating housing 2.