Connector Assembly Noise Filter Integration for Signal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies for vehicle communication systems suffer from noise interference in signal transmission due to increased communication speeds, leading to potential malfunctions, and require high insertion forces during assembly, which can result in incomplete fastening.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a housing, terminal position assurance mechanism, and noise filters, such as ferrite cores, that reduce noise interference and simplify assembly by eliminating the need for a separate cover, ensuring secure fastening and effective noise filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple joint terminals are coupled by a separate cover, then the connector assembly can be assembled, but a great insertion force is required and fastening may be incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cover function directly into the housing structure by forming accommodating grooves on the housing surface and inserting joint terminals directly into these grooves. This eliminates the separate cover component and reduces insertion force requirements while maintaining secure fastening of multiple joint terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented with multiple accommodating grooves formed on its surface, each groove designed to receive and secure a joint terminal. This segmentation allows individual terminals to be fastened independently without requiring high insertion force across all terminals simultaneously.
2Reliability
If joint terminals are connected to terminals inserted into the housing, then electrical connection is established, but noise in the signal is transferred through the terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a noise filter as an intermediary component between the signal source and the joint terminals. This filter blocks noise from being transferred through the electrical connection while allowing the electrical connection itself to function properly, thus maintaining reliability while eliminating harmful noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The noise filter extracts and removes noise components from the signal path. By placing the filter in the signal path, noise is separated and blocked from propagating through the joint terminals, while the useful electrical connection remains intact.
3Speed
If communication speed is increased for vehicle safety and convenience systems, then more information can be transferred, but noise generated in the transmitted signal causes malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The noise filter serves as a mediator that protects the high-speed communication signal from noise interference. It allows the high communication speed to be maintained while blocking noise that would otherwise cause signal instability and malfunction in safety-critical vehicle systems.
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 solution effectively reduces signal noise, enhances assembly quality, and prevents malfunctions by integrating noise filters within the connector assembly, improving signal stability and reliability in high-speed communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one noise filter fixed to the housing or the TPA mechanism, and enclosing the accommodating grooves of the housing, the through-holes of the TPA mechanism, or the joint terminals
Implementation Method 2
The noise filter may be a ferrite core that filters out electromagnetic interference included in a signal input from the terminal inserted into the accommodating groove or output to the terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes: a housing having a plurality of accommodating grooves into which a plurality of terminals are insertable, respectively, and having an insertion space recessed in a first direction intersecting a second direction in which the accommodating grooves extend, the plurality of accommodating grooves being formed in one surface of the housing; a terminal position assurance (TPA) mechanism inserted into the insertion space of the housing in the first direction, having a plurality of through-holes extending parallel to the plurality of accommodating grooves, and inhibiting the terminals inserted into the through-holes from being separated; joint terminals extending from an inside of the housing to the accommodating grooves, and electrically connected to the terminals inserted into the accommodating grooves; and a noise filter fixed to the housing or the TPA mechanism, and enclosing the accommodating grooves of the housing, the through-holes of the TPA mechanism, or the joint terminals.