Electrical Connector Grounding Shell With Selectable Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors require a dedicated contact for grounding, which complicates the insertion and removal of contacts and shells, and do not allow for user-selectable grounding options using either contacts or separate ground terminals.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a shell with a through-hole and grooves that allow for either a ground lug or ground terminal to be electrically conductive with the shell, enabling simple insertion and removal of contacts and housing, and allowing users to choose between using a contact or a separate ground terminal for grounding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one contact among the required contacts is used for grounding, then grounding continuity is achieved, but the insertion and removal of contacts becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding function is segmented from the signal contacts. The shell is divided into multiple receiving portions, each capable of independently receiving either a signal contact or a ground contact. This segmentation allows ground contacts to be separately positioned without affecting the insertion/removal process of signal contacts, thus maintaining grounding continuity while simplifying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell acts as an intermediary structure that provides dedicated ground contact receiving portions. These portions mediate between the ground contact and the shell body, establishing grounding continuity through the shell's conductive structure without requiring signal contacts to be used for grounding, thereby simplifying contact insertion and removal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate ground terminal is added to the required contacts, then grounding option is provided, but the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the structural housing and as the grounding path. The receiving portions on the shell can universally accommodate either signal contacts or ground contacts. This universal design provides grounding options without adding separate complex grounding structures, as the shell itself fulfills multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding structure is merged with the shell body. The ground contact receiving portions are integrated into the shell, and the shell's conductive material serves as the grounding path. This merging eliminates the need for separate grounding structures, providing versatility in grounding options while maintaining simple overall structure.
3Reliability
If grounding is achieved through contact with the shell, then grounding continuity is obtained, but the shell structure must be modified
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is pre-designed with receiving portions specifically configured for ground contacts during the manufacturing process. These portions are formed as integral parts of the shell structure, allowing ground contacts to be easily installed without requiring post-manufacturing modifications or complex assembly procedures, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring grounding continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A grounding structure is provided in an electrical connector, which includes contacts, a housing, a shell, and a ground terminal or a ground lug. The shell has a through-hole communicating with a fitting groove, an installing groove, and a connection portion groove, and the through-hole has an inserting groove into which the ground terminal is inserted, a screw portion for holding the ground terminal, a spacing groove for avoiding any interference with the ground lug integrally mounted on the housing, and an engaging portion to engage a locking portion of the housing. Both the ground lug and the ground terminal are constructed to become electrically conductive with the same shell, respectively, so that grounding is effected by either of the ground lug integrally mounted on the housing and the separately provided ground terminal. It is thus possible to select one contact or the separate ground terminal with respect to the same shell for grounding.