Connector Module Shield Case Elastic Contact Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector modules face increased manufacturing costs and degradation in shielding effectiveness due to the use of wave washers and misalignment issues, which affect the contact area and electromagnetic shielding performance.

Innovation Solution

A connector module design featuring a conductive shell with an annular recession portion and elastic portions that maintain contact with the shield case without a wave washer, ensuring uniform current paths and improved shielding, along with an inner seal member to prevent liquid intrusion and a tilt preventing member to stabilize the central conductor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wave washer is used to connect the shield case to the shell, then electrical connection is achieved, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wave washer component is completely removed from the assembly. The shield case directly contacts the shell through its side wall, eliminating the intermediate wave washer component while maintaining electrical connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection function is merged into the direct contact interface between the shield case side wall and the shell. The shield case structure itself serves both mechanical support and electrical conduction purposes, combining multiple functions into a single integrated solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a wave washer is used to connect the shield case to the shell, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wave washer component is completely removed from the assembly. The shield case directly contacts the shell through its side wall, eliminating the intermediate wave washer component while maintaining electrical connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection function is merged into the direct contact interface between the shield case side wall and the shell. The shield case structure itself serves both mechanical support and electrical conduction purposes, combining multiple functions into a single integrated solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the shield case position becomes misaligned, then assembly is simpler, but the contact area between shield case and shell becomes uneven and shielding effect degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidshielding effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shield case side wall is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to flex and adapt to positional misalignments. This dynamic flexibility ensures that the shield case can maintain contact with the shell even when perfect alignment is not achieved, preventing degradation of the shielding effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the shield case side wall is changed from rigid to elastic. By introducing elastic deformation capability, the side wall can adjust its shape and contact pressure dynamically, ensuring reliable electrical connection and shielding performance despite variations in assembly alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the contact area between shield case and shell is uneven, then assembly is simpler, but shielding ability degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidshielding ability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shield case side wall is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to flex and adapt to positional misalignments. This dynamic flexibility ensures that the shield case can maintain contact with the shell even when perfect alignment is not achieved, preventing degradation of the shielding effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the shield case side wall is changed from rigid to elastic. By introducing elastic deformation capability, the side wall can adjust its shape and contact pressure dynamically, ensuring reliable electrical connection and shielding performance despite variations in assembly alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cost-effective, high-shielding capability connector module that maintains contact and shielding effectiveness even with misalignment, while preventing liquid intrusion and ensuring long-term reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of elastic portions that are capable of elastic deformation and are bent from an edge portion of the opening portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a shield case that is electrically conductive, is shaped as a bottomed tube capable of being engaged with the terminal module, and shields an interior space from electromagnetic waves that propagate in an exterior space around the shield case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3462550B1Connector module and onboard camera using the same
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 HOSIDEN CORP
  • EP3462550B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3462550B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3462550B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connector module (10) that has an inexpensive configuration and a high shielding ability is provided. The connector module (10) includes a terminal module (30) and a shield case (7). The terminal module (30) has a central conductor (1), a tubular insulator holder (2) that supports the central conductor (1), and a tubular conductive shell (3). A bottom portion (71) of the shield case (7) has multiple elastic portions (75) that are capable of elastic deformation and are bent from and protrude from an edge portion (73e) of an opening portion (73) for passage of the terminal module (30). The terminal module (30) is joined to the shield case (7) in a state where an annular recession portion (34a) of the conductive shell (3) and the elastic portions (75) are in electrical contact with each other.