Electrical Connector Hook Grounding Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors lack effective grounding mechanisms that ensure reliable physical and electrical contact between grounding contacts, leading to instability and potential electrical interference.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an insulative housing with a metallic shielding plate and hook-shaped grounding contacts on both sides, where the hook portions of the second contacts engage with the first contacts, forming a stable grounding structure that enhances mechanical and electrical connection through a metallic shielding plate made via die-casting or metal injection molding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional grounding mechanisms are used in electrical connectors, then the structure is simpler, but the grounding reliability and electrical connectivity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrounding reliabilityVSAvoidgrounding structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple grounding contacts into a unified grounding structure where first grounding contacts and second grounding contacts are integrated within the same insulative housing. The hook portions of second grounding contacts engage with first grounding contacts to form a combined grounding system that ensures reliable electrical connectivity while maintaining structural coherence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding contacts are nested within the insulative housing structure. The first grounding contacts are retained in the base portion, while the second grounding contacts with hook portions are nested in the tongue portion, creating a layered nested arrangement that maximizes grounding reliability within the compact connector geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If grounding contacts are physically connected through hook portions, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hook portions of the second grounding contacts are pre-formed during the molding process to extend upwardly and inwardly from the outmost edge. This preliminary formation of the hook structure allows for automatic engagement with the first grounding contacts during assembly, eliminating the need for separate grounding wire connections and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding contacts are formed as integral parts of the molded terminal structures rather than separate components. By changing the manufacturing approach from assembling separate grounding wires to molding integrated grounding contacts with hook portions, the electrical connectivity is improved while the manufacturing process is simplified through single-step molding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple grounding contacts are engaged to each other, then grounding stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrounding stabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple grounding contacts (first grounding contacts and second grounding contacts) are merged into a unified grounding system within the connector. The hook portions create mechanical interengagement between the contacts, forming a stable combined grounding structure that ensures consistent electrical connectivity without requiring separate grounding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding contacts serve multiple functions: they provide electrical grounding, mechanical stability through hook engagement, and structural integration within the insulative housing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall connector design while maintaining grounding stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9837734B2Electrical connector having inetrengaged grounding contacts

Publication Date: 2017.12.05 FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LTD

AI summary

An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a number of terminals and a metallic shielding plate s retained in the insulative housing, and a shielding shell attached to the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a base portion and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion along an insertion direction. The terminals define a number of first contacts and second contacts. The first contacts and second contacts respectively define a pair of grounding contacts located at two sides thereof. Each grounding contact of the second contacts has a hook portion bent upwardly and extending inwardly from outmost edge thereof and located above the grounding contact of the first contacts located at the same side. A free end of the hook portion is contacted with the grounding contact of the first contacts at same side physically and electrically.