Grounding Plate Retention in Electrical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrical connector with a grounding plate is complex to assemble due to the grounding plate being prone to dropping away from the insulative housing during the mounting of the metal shell, making the assembly process cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a metal shell with an assembling portion featuring an accommodating slot for the grounding plate's base portion, and a protruding portion with an elastic mating portion that extends forwardly to securely connect with the mating connector, simplifying the assembly by using a base portion mounted in the slot and a protruding portion that locks into place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the grounding plate is assembled to the metal shell using the conventional method, then the grounding plate can be connected to the mating connector, but the grounding plate drops away from the insulative housing during metal shell mounting, causing complex assembly process
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion of the grounding plate is nested within the accommodating slot of the assembling portion on the metal shell. This nesting structure ensures the grounding plate is securely retained during assembly and prevents it from dropping away, while the nested design itself provides the retention mechanism without requiring additional complex components
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodating slot is pre-formed on the assembling portion of the metal shell before the grounding plate is installed. This preliminary preparation of the retention structure allows the grounding plate to be securely mounted in one operation, preventing it from dropping during the assembly process and eliminating the need for subsequent adjustment or repositioning steps
2Ease of operation
If the grounding plate is retained in the front of the insulative housing, then it can be connected to the mating connector, but it becomes dislodged when the metal shell is mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion of the grounding plate is nested within the accommodating slot of the assembling portion, creating a stable retained position. The protruding portion extends forward from this nested base, maintaining the connection function while the nested base ensures positional stability during metal shell mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The assembling portion with the accommodating slot acts as an intermediary structure between the grounding plate and the metal shell. This intermediary provides a stable mounting interface that secures the grounding plate in place, allowing it to maintain both its connection capability and positional stability during assembly and operation
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 enhances the ease of assembly by securely retaining the grounding plate to the metal shell, ensuring proper alignment and connection with the mating connector, thereby streamlining the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
the protruding portion has an elastic mating portion disposed outside the top wall for contacting with the mating connector
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector 100 includes an insulative housing 1, a plurality of contacts 2, a metal shell 3 and a grounding plate 4. The metal shell 3 includes a front shell 31 having a top wall 311 and an assembling portion 318 extending upwardly from the top wall 311 and having an accommodating slot 3181. The grounding plate 4 includes a base portion 41 inserted into the accommodating slot 3181 and a protruding portion 42 having an elastic mating portion 423 connected with a mating connector. The metal shell 3 further has a rear shell 32 having a vertical covering plate 321 having a resisting portion 3211 extending upwardly and a shielding plate 323 extending forwardly from a top of the covering plate 321. The resisting portion 3211 upwardly abuts against the top wall 311. The grounding plate 4 would be easily assembled to the metal shell 3.