Low-Profile Cable Assembly Grounding Bar Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable assemblies with grounding bars are not suitable for low-profile applications due to increased height, which complicates their integration into small-sized electric devices with simple production requirements.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly design featuring a housing with a T-shaped receiving trough and a grounding bar of vertical T-configuration, where the grounding bar is securely positioned within the trough using ribs and gaps, allowing for a compact form factor while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional grounding bar is used in cable assembly, then grounding function is provided, but the height of the cable assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding bar is nested within the receiving trough of the housing, with the T-shaped configuration allowing it to fit vertically within the housing structure. The grounding bar's horizontal portion extends between cable groups while the vertical portion fits within the housing depth, eliminating the need for external grounding bar protrusion and reducing overall assembly height.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding bar transitions from a traditional horizontal-only configuration to a T-shaped three-dimensional structure with both horizontal and vertical components. This dimensional change allows the grounding function to be achieved within the internal volume of the housing rather than requiring external space, thereby reducing the cable assembly's height.
2Reliability
If grounding bar is added to cable assembly, then grounding function is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding bar is integrated with the housing structure through the receiving trough, combining what were previously separate components (grounding bar and housing) into a more unified assembly. The T-shaped grounding bar merges the grounding function with the structural framework, reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The T-shaped grounding bar serves multiple functions: it provides electrical grounding connection, acts as a structural support element within the housing, and serves as a positioning feature for cable groups. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby simplifying the overall assembly structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly includes a housing including a main portion defining a connecting direction and a mating portion defining a mating direction, the connecting direction being perpendicular to the mating direction, a plurality of contacts receiving in the housing, a plurality of cables each including an inner conductor connected to the contacts and an outer conductor, a grounding bar connected to all the outer conductors of the cables. The grounding bar defines a long side extending along a direction perpendicular to the connecting direction and a short side extending along a direction parallel to the mating direction, and the housing further has a receiving trough to receive the grounding bar.