Miniaturized Electrical Connector Assembly with Nested Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electrical connector assemblies with latches and large wires fail to achieve robust and miniaturized structures, particularly when using flat flexible cables (FFC) for mating with receptacle connectors, lacking effective shielding and grounding.
Innovation Solution
The electrical assembly includes a plug connector with a flat flexible cable, a rotatable presser, and a metallic unitary latch with resilient latches, paired with a receptacle connector featuring an insulative housing, contacts, and a metallic shell with a cover for enhanced shielding and grounding, ensuring secure and efficient mating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional large wires are used with the mating port of the connector, then the connector structure is simpler to manufacture, but the connector size is larger and cannot achieve miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into modular components including a plug connector with insulative main body, metallic support plate, and separate receptacle connector with housing, shell, and cover. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for miniaturization while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized assembly processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested structures where the metallic support plate is received within the insulative main body, the housing receives multiple contacts and the support plate, the shell encloses the housing, and the cover attaches to the shell. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization for miniaturization while using conventional manufacturing techniques for each nested component
2Volume of moving object
If a compact design is implemented, then the connector size is reduced, but the shielding and grounding effects are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The nested metallic structures provide shielding and grounding: the metallic support plate is received within the insulative main body, the housing receives the support plate and contacts, the shell encloses the housing, and the cover attaches to the shell. This nested metallic configuration creates multiple shielding layers and grounding paths within a compact volume, maintaining EMI protection while achieving miniaturization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions: metallic materials (support plate, shell, cover) are strategically positioned for shielding and grounding functions, while insulative materials (main body, housing) are used for electrical isolation. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both compactness and electromagnetic protection
3Reliability
If the connector structure is simplified, then the manufacturing process is easier, but the mechanical and electrical connectivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components: the metallic support plate provides both structural support and electrical grounding/shielding functions, the shell and cover together provide both mechanical protection and EMI shielding, and the latch mechanism integrates both mechanical retention and electrical contact functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic elements including the rotatable presser that can rotate to press the FFC, the resilient latches that provide automatic engagement and retention forces, and the deflectable operation parts that enable latch actuation. These dynamic features enhance mechanical and electrical connectivity reliability without requiring complex assembly procedures
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical assembly includes mated plug connector and receptacle connector. The plug connector includes an insulative main body, a flat flexible cable attached upon the main body, a rotatable presser assembled upon the main body and retaining the flat flexible cable in position, and a metallic unitary latch assembled upon the main body with pair of resilient latches on two opposite lateral sides. Correspondingly, the receptacle connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts disposed in the housing, a metallic shell enclosing the housing, and a metallic cover attached upon the shell to shield the rear side of the receptacle connector.