Bidirectional Assembly Electrical Connector Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors, such as those disclosed in Taiwan Utility Patent M399522, lack a robust assembling process and do not effectively protect the contact module from electromagnetic interference when exposed in air.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring an insulating housing with a receiving space, a contact module with first and second contacts, and a metal shell that is inserted and retained from opposite directions, providing a stable and shielded Micro USB 3.0 interface with enhanced structural and mechanical balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the metal shell is used as the outermost periphery without protected members, then the metal shell can provide electromagnetic shielding, but the assembling process becomes complex and the contact module remains vulnerable when exposed in air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic interference protectionVSAvoidassembling process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into distinct functional components: the metal shell for electromagnetic shielding, the insulating housing for structural support and additional protection, and the contact module for electrical connection. Each component is assembled separately from opposite directions, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact module is nested within the metal shell, which is in turn received by the insulating housing. This nested arrangement provides multiple layers of protection and simplifies assembly by allowing components to be inserted into pre-positioned receiving spaces without complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If the contact module is exposed in air without additional protection, then the structure remains simple, but the contact module lacks adequate protection from electromagnetic interference and physical damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcontact module protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The metal shell acts as a protective enclosure surrounding the contact module, providing both electromagnetic shielding and physical protection. The insulating housing further encapsulates the assembly, creating a robust protective structure that maintains reliability while preserving structural simplicity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The connector combines metal (for shielding and conductivity), insulating material (for structural support and electrical isolation), and contact elements (for electrical connection). This composite construction provides multi-functional protection without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If components are assembled from one direction only, then the assembly process is straightforward, but the structural balance and mechanical stability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly operation simplicityVSAvoidstructural and mechanical balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of assembling all components from one direction, the metal shell is inserted from the front face while the contact module is inserted from the rear face. This bidirectional assembly approach achieves better structural balance and mechanical stability by distributing assembly forces evenly, while still maintaining operational simplicity through the use of pre-formed receiving spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution enables a secure and efficient assembling process that shields the contact module from electromagnetic interference while ensuring a stable and balanced Micro USB 3.0 interface, addressing the limitations of previous connectors.

Implementation Method 1

The metal shell is used to shield the contact module and protect the contact module from electromagnetic interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS9077136B2Combination electrical connector and assembly of the same

Publication Date: 2015.07.07 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

An electrical connector comprises an insulating housing, a contact module and a metal shell. The insulating housing defines a front face and rear face, and a receiving space running through the front face and the rear face. The contact module includes a plurality of first contacts loaded thereon and is received in the receiving space, the contacting comprising board connecting tail exposing to the rear face of the housing. The metal shell is received in the receiving space and surrounds the contact module second connector port located beside and separated from the first connector port in said lengthwise direction. Wherein the metal shell is inserted and retained with the insulating housing from the front face, the contact module is inserted and retained with the insulating housing from the rear face.