Cable Connector Assembly Shorting Member Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable connector assemblies have issues with shorting functionality due to poorly designed connecting members that are prone to falling off and do not effectively connect terminals with cables for signal or power transmission.

Innovation Solution

A cable connector assembly with improved conductive terminals arranged in two rows, featuring a connecting member that shorts first terminals together, allowing them to be soldered with a core wire, and includes detecting, signal, and power terminals, along with a retaining member and latch for secure mating with a mating connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the connecting member is disposed outside of the insulative housing, then it is easy to assemble, but it can fall off and cannot achieve shorting function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnecting member retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting member is nested inside the insulative housing, specifically positioned within the receiving slots alongside the terminals. This internal placement ensures the connecting member cannot fall off while maintaining assembly feasibility through the structured receiving slot design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting member is pre-positioned within the insulative housing during assembly, with its arms received in the receiving spaces between the shorting terminals and adjacent arms. This preliminary positioning ensures proper alignment and retention before final assembly completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple terminals are used for reserved function without cable connection, then terminal functionality is expanded, but the number of welding increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal functionalityVSAvoidnumber of welding

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple first terminals that were previously requiring separate cable connections are merged into a single shorting group. The connecting member electrically connects these terminals together, allowing them to function as a unified entity that can be soldered with a single core wire, thereby reducing welding complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting member creates a universal electrical connection among multiple first terminals, enabling them to serve common functions such as grounding or power supply. This multi-functional design allows the terminals to be used for different purposes while sharing a single connection point, reducing the overall number of welds required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9478925B2Cable connector assembly and method for making the same

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LTD

AI summary

A cable connector assembly includes a plug portion, a cable electrically connected with the plug portion and an insulative shell covering a part of the plug portion and the cable. The plug portion defines an insulative housing and a plurality of conductive terminals received in the insulative housing and arranged in two rows spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, the conductive terminals including a plurality of detecting terminals, a plurality of signal terminals and a plurality of first terminals. The cable has a plurality of core wires. The plug portion further includes a connecting member for the first terminals shorted, the connecting member makes the first terminals shorted together so as to the first terminals are just soldered with a core wire of the cable.