Electrical Connector Plug Lock Screw Ground Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connector plugs experience insecure electrical connections due to aging and insufficient secureness between shells, even with lock screws, as the connection relies on direct contact between shells which is not robust.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector plug design featuring an insulative housing with locking sections, metal lock screws, and a metal shell that forms a secure electrical connection by clamping with nuts, ensuring a stable conduction path through thread groove formation and electrical shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If direct contact between shells is used for electrical connection, then the structure is simple, but the electrical connection security deteriorates due to aging and insufficient secureness
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection path is segmented into multiple independent paths: one through direct shell contact and another through the lock screw-nut contact path. This segmentation ensures that if one path degrades due to aging, the other path maintains electrical connectivity, thereby improving overall reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The lock screw acts as an intermediary element that establishes a new electrical connection path between the plug shell and receptacle shell through the nut. This intermediary contact path provides an additional secure electrical connection that complements the direct shell contact, addressing the reliability issue while maintaining relative structural simplicity
2Strength
If lock screws are added to improve mechanical connection, then mechanical secureness is improved, but electrical connection security between shells remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lock screw is designed to serve dual functions: mechanically securing the plug to the receptacle through threading into the nut, and simultaneously establishing an electrical connection path by contacting the shell around the through-hole. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both mechanical secureness and electrical connection security without adding separate dedicated components
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical shielding structure and the lock screw mounting structure are merged into a single integrated shell design. The shell includes both the through-hole for lock screw insertion and the contact surface for electrical contact, combining mechanical fastening and electrical connection functions into one unified structure, thereby improving electrical connection security while maintaining design efficiency
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
The design provides a secure electrical conduction path and enhanced shielding by clamping lock screws, ensuring a firm connection between the plug and receptacle, improving reliability and stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
The screw holes in the locking sections are preferably configured in a way such that, when the lock screws are inserted through the holes, front ends of the lock screws act as taps to form thread grooves.
Implementation Method 2
a metal shell for electrically covering the connector housing; wherein the shell covers the locking sections, and through-holes for inserting the lock screws are formed in the shell in positions facing the screw holes, and a contact surface against which the relevant lock screw partially contacts is secured for electrical shielding around one side of each of the through-holes.
Data Source
AI summary
To form a ground path to ground in a metal shell of an electrical connector plug with lock screws to have a simple structure of a connector housing having secure and durable performance, the connector plug includes an insulative connector housing having a rectangular body on which contacts are arranged, and locking sections extending out to two lateral portions of the body, metal lock screws inserted through screw holes formed in the locking sections, and a metal shell for electrically covering the connector housing. The shell covers the locking sections, through-holes for inserting the lock screws are formed in the shell in positions facing the screw holes, and a contact surface against which the relevant lock screw partially contacts is secured for electrical shielding around one side of each of the through-holes.