Electrical Connector Isolation Block Prevents Short Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors are prone to short circuits due to direct contact between the soldering pin of a metal shell and the soldering portion of a conductive terminal, which can occur when the metal shell is not properly isolated from the conductive terminals.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an isolation block between the metal shell and the soldering portion of the conductive terminals to prevent direct contact and short circuits, ensuring the soldering pin and soldering portion are vertically isolated, thus preventing electrical shorts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the metal shell is directly sleeved on the insulative housing without isolation, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but short circuit risk increases due to contact between soldering pin and conductive terminal
Solution Approach 1:
An isolation block is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal shell and the conductive terminal. This isolation block physically separates the soldering pin of the metal shell from the soldering portion of the conductive terminal, preventing direct contact and potential short circuits. The isolation block serves as a mediator that maintains electrical isolation while allowing the metal shell to remain sleeved on the insulative housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The space between the metal shell and conductive terminal is segmented by introducing the isolation block. This segmentation divides the previously continuous space into isolated zones, ensuring that the soldering pin and soldering portion cannot come into contact. The isolation block creates distinct electrical zones while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the connector assembly.
2Reliability
If the isolation block is added between metal shell and conductive terminal, then short circuit risk is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation block is integrated with either the metal shell or the insulative housing through merging. This integration allows the isolation block to be manufactured as a single piece with the main component, reducing the total number of separate parts. The merging approach simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for separate installation steps while maintaining the electrical isolation function.
3Volume of moving object
If the metal shell is positioned close to the soldering portion for compact design, then the connector size is reduced, but the risk of contact and short circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation block utilizes the vertical dimension to achieve electrical isolation. By extending the isolation block vertically between the metal shell and conductive terminal, the design maintains compact horizontal dimensions while creating sufficient vertical separation. This dimensional approach allows close positioning in the horizontal plane without compromising electrical isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector for soldering to a printed circuit board includes an insulative housing, a number of conductive terminals affixed to the insulative housing, and a metal shell surrounding the base portion. The insulative housing includes a base portion. Each conductive terminal includes a soldering portion extending laterally and outwardly from a lateral edge of the base portion. The metal shell includes a pair of longitudinal wall. The electrical connector includes an isolation block isolating the soldering portion from the longitudinal wall of the metal shell in a vertical direction.