Chiclet Connector Shielding Structure for Vibration-Stable Data Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chiclet connectors face challenges in maintaining electrical shielding effectiveness under conditions of high vibration and shock, as well as temperature fluctuations, which can disrupt the position of conductors relative to the housing.

Innovation Solution

The chiclet connector design incorporates a housing with an electromagnetic shield, a support mechanically connected to the housing in a positive-fitting and/or material-fitting manner, and a conductive bridge bridging housing gaps, ensuring the conductor's fixed position and stable shielding even under vibration and shock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conductor is not firmly fixed in the housing, then the assembly is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the conductor position changes under vibration and shock, degrading shielding effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidfixing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is pre-formed with integration features (such as embedded conductive elements or molded-in-place connections) that enable direct connection to the housing, eliminating the need for separate fixing operations and ensuring the conductor is firmly positioned before assembly completes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support and housing are combined into an integrated structure where the support is directly connected to the housing through positive-fitting and/or material-fitting connections, creating a unified assembly that maintains conductor position without additional fastening components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If gaps exist between housing sections for assembly purposes, then manufacturing and assembly are easier, but electromagnetic shielding is compromised at high frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing assembly easeVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Conductive bridges are introduced as intermediary elements that span the gaps between housing sections, providing an electrical connection that maintains electromagnetic shielding continuity while allowing the housing sections to remain separated for assembly purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure combines electrically insulating material for the housing body with electrically conductive material for the bridges, creating a composite structure that provides both mechanical assembly flexibility and electromagnetic shielding continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the support is loosely connected to the housing, then assembly is simpler, but the conductor moves relative to the housing under vibration, changing shielding characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor position stabilityVSAvoidsupport connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is pre-formed with integration features (such as embedded conductive elements or molded-in-place connections) that enable direct connection to the housing, eliminating the need for separate fixing operations and ensuring the conductor is firmly positioned before assembly completes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support and housing are combined into an integrated structure where the support is directly connected to the housing through positive-fitting and/or material-fitting connections, creating a unified assembly that maintains conductor position without additional fastening components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 maintains consistent shielding performance in high-frequency applications by preventing conductor movement, enhancing mechanical stability, and reducing electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

the housing forming an electromagnetic shield electrically insulated from the conductor, in particular for the high frequency range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

the support mechanically connecting the conductor to the housing and fixing it in the housing, and the support being connected to the housing in a positive-fitting and/or material-fitting manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical connection: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3968468B1Chiclets for a chiclet connector
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 TE CONNECTIVITY NEDERLAND
  • EP3968468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3968468B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3968468B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention refers to a chiclet (4) for a chiclet connector (1). The chiclet (4) is intended to be used in environments subject to high vibration and shock loads for the transmission of data at a high data rate. For this purpose, the chiclet (4) has at least one conductor (44), a housing (7) and a support (48). The housing encloses a housing interior (32) through which the conductor (44) also extends. The two ends of the conductor form contacts (46) projecting from the housing. The housing forms a high frequency shield (22) electrically isolated from the conductor. The support mechanically connects the conductor to the housing and fixes it in the housing. The support is connected to the housing in a positive-fit and/or material-fit manner. The conductor thus retains its relative position in the housing even in the event of vibrations and shocks, so that the shielding of the housing remains unaffected by vibrations and shocks.