Electrical Connector Grounding Layout for Stable Contact Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors with outermost ground contacts face issues during the molding process, where the outer side of the ground contact is not properly supported, leading to potential contamination from overflowing molten plastics.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a middle grounding member between two rows of contacts, with the outermost ground contacts having extending portions that abut against the middle grounding member, providing stable support during the molding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If outermost ground contacts are used without additional support, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to floating during molding
Solution Approach 1:
A middle grounding member is introduced as an intermediary support element between the first and second rows of contacts. This middle grounding member provides additional support points for the outermost ground contacts during the molding process, preventing them from floating while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If outermost ground contacts are unsupported on the outer side, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination from overflowing molten plastics
Solution Approach 1:
The middle grounding member acts as a protective intermediary that supports the outermost ground contacts during molding. This prevents the molten plastics from overflowing and contaminating the ground contacts while maintaining ease of manufacture through a straightforward molding process.
3Manufacturing precision
If middle grounding member is added to support outermost ground contacts, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The middle grounding member serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the outermost ground contacts during molding, establishes electrical ground connections, and prevents contamination. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by eliminating the need for separate support structures.
4Reliability
If middle grounding member is added to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The middle grounding member provides both contamination prevention and electrical grounding functions through a single component. This multi-functional design improves reliability by preventing molten plastic contamination while maintaining electrical ground integrity, without requiring separate protective structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes: an insulative housing having a front tongue with opposite first and second surfaces; first and second rows of contacts molded with the insulative housing and having respective contacting portions exposed to the first surface of the front tongue, each row of contacts including two outermost ground contacts; and a middle grounding member molded with the insulative housing and disposed between the first row of contacts and the second row of contacts; wherein each of the two outermost ground contacts in the first row has an extending portion abutting against a first surface of the middle grounding member; and each of the two outermost ground contacts in the second row has an extending portion abutting against an opposite second surface of the middle grounding member.