Chamfered Electrical Connector Housing with Asymmetric Shielding Latch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors in virtual reality technology lack a clear distinction in interface shape, leading to potential mis-handling during mating, especially for high-speed, multi-channel transmission applications.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring a mating frame opening with symmetrically disposed obtuse angles and a spacer dividing the mating cavity into two parts of different sizes, preventing misalignment and ensuring fool-proof mating by limiting the shape of the docking connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rectangular frame opening is used like existing connectors, then the connector structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the interface shape lacks clear distinction leading to potential mis-handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemating accuracyVSAvoidinterface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by designing the mating frame opening with two different connecting edges: the first connecting edge has a first angle with the bottom edge, while the second connecting edge has a second angle with the bottom edge, where the first angle and second angle are different. This creates an asymmetric interface shape that provides clear visual distinction and prevents mis-handling, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the connector interface is made distinctive with angled edges, then mis-handling is prevented, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefool-proof matingVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mating frame opening into distinct geometric features with different connecting edges having different angles. The housing structure is divided into multiple functional portions: the bottom edge, the first connecting edge with first angle, the second connecting edge with second angle, and the sides perpendicular to the top edge. This segmentation allows each feature to be manufactured independently using standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving fool-proof mating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a spacer is added to divide the mating cavity, then alignment is ensured and misalignment is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmating cavity structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the spacer within the mating cavity before the docking connector is inserted. The spacer is already in place to define the receiving spaces and guide the alignment of the conductive terminals. This preliminary arrangement ensures proper alignment from the start of the mating process, preventing misalignment issues without requiring complex active alignment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10797445B2Electrical connector having a chamfered housing structure and a unitary shielding shell latch aligned with the chamfered housing structure
Publication Date: 2020.10.06 FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LTD
  • US10797445B2 patent drawing
  • US10797445B2 patent drawing
  • US10797445B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electrical connector includes: an insulative housing; plural conductive terminals disposed in the insulative housing; and a shield shell covering the insulative housing, wherein the shield shell has a mating frame opening at a front end thereof, the mating frame opening including a top edge, a bottom edge parallel to the top edge, a first side and a second side respectively perpendicular to a left and a right ends of the top edge, a first connecting edge connected between the first side and the bottom edge, and a second connecting edge connected between the second side and the bottom edge, the first connecting edge has a first angle with respect to the bottom edge, the second connecting edge has a second angle with respect to the bottom edge, and the first angle and the second angle are both obtuse angles.