Electrical Connector Assembly with Protective Outer Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies lack sufficient stability during mating with inserted connectors, particularly when mounted to printed circuit boards, as they do not provide adequate structural support or protection against misalignment and tilting.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector assembly includes a terminal module enclosed by a shielding shell and an insulative cover with humps engaging the outer housing, along with a sealing member compressed between the cover and housing, providing additional stability and protection through a secure interference fit and guiding mechanism for correct mating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an outer housing accommodates an electrical connector to provide added stability, then the stability and protection during mating is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is nested within the outer housing, with the insulative cover containing the shielding shell which in turn contains the terminal module. This nested arrangement provides structural stability during mating while maintaining a compact overall form factor, resolving the contradiction between stability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the outer housing for stability, the insulative cover for insulation and positioning, the shielding shell for EMI protection, and the terminal module for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving stability without excessive overall complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If humps are added to the insulative cover to engage with the outer housing, then the structural stability and anti-misalignment is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The humps are pre-formed as integral features of the insulative cover during the molding process, rather than being added as separate components. This preliminary action ensures proper engagement with the outer housing for structural stability while avoiding the complexity of additional assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The humps are merged into the insulative cover as a single integrated component, combining the functions of structural support, positioning, and insulation in one piece. This merging reduces the number of parts and assembly operations, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining structural stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing member is compressed between the insulative cover and outer housing, then the waterproof protection is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is implemented as a flexible sealing ring or gasket that can be compressed between the insulative cover and outer housing. This flexible element conformally seals the interface, providing effective waterproof protection while requiring minimal structural modifications to the housing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is pre-installed in a relaxed state and then compressed during assembly to create the seal. This beforehand preparation allows the sealing function to be integrated into the normal assembly process without requiring additional sealing operations, thereby providing waterproof protection without significantly increasing assembly complexity.
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 configuration enhances the structural stability and protection of the electrical connector assembly, ensuring reliable mating with reduced tilting and misalignment, while also providing a waterproof function, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the connector system.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing member is compressed between the front portion of the insulative cover and the inner surface of the outer housing
Implementation Method 2
the insulative cover has a plurality of humps engaging an inner surface of the outer housing
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly includes: an electrical connector including a terminal module, a shielding shell enclosing the terminal module, an insulative cover enclosing the shielding shell, and a sealing member disposed at a front portion of the insulative cover; and an outer housing accommodating the electrical connector, wherein the insulative cover has a plurality of humps engaging an inner surface of the outer housing, and the sealing member is compressed between the front portion of the insulative cover and the inner surface of the outer housing.