Connector Protrusions Suppress Tilting in Shielded Resin Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connectors with metal shield shells in surface contact with resin main bodies face issues of water accumulation and high production costs, and when a gap is introduced, the main body tilts, causing stress on terminal connections, potentially leading to damage during wire vibrations.

Innovation Solution

The connector design features protrusions on either the shield shell or the main body to prevent tilting, even with a gap between the shield shell and the main body, ensuring the terminal and terminal fixing section are protected from damage during wire vibrations. These protrusions are strategically placed to absorb movement, and multiple protrusions enhance stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If surface contact between shield shell and main body is implemented, then tilting suppression is improved, but water accumulation occurs and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetilting suppressionVSAvoidwater accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact interface between the shield shell and main body is segmented into multiple discrete protrusion points rather than a continuous surface contact. This segmentation prevents water accumulation while maintaining tilting suppression functionality through distributed contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions create localized contact points with specific geometric features that provide both mechanical support for tilting suppression and structural design that prevents water accumulation in the gap regions between protrusions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If surface contact between shield shell and main body is implemented, then tilting suppression is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetilting suppressionVSAvoidprocessing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The contact interface is divided into discrete protrusion elements that are easier to manufacture with standard tolerances compared to achieving precise continuous surface contact. The segmented structure reduces sensitivity to manufacturing variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from requiring precise surface flatness and contact to using protrusion geometry parameters (height, diameter, spacing) that are more tolerant to manufacturing variations and easier to control during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a gap is provided between shield shell and main body, then water accumulation and production cost are reduced, but tilting occurs causing terminal damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater accumulation preventionVSAvoidterminal connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Protrusions are introduced as intermediary elements between the shield shell and main body that fill the functional role of surface contact (tilting suppression) while maintaining the beneficial gap structure (water accumulation prevention). The protrusions act as mediators that transmit mechanical support without creating continuous contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gap structure is retained but functional contact is achieved through segmented protrusion elements distributed within the gap, providing mechanical support while preventing water accumulation in the remaining gap spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If a gap is provided between shield shell and main body, then production cost is reduced, but stress on terminal increases during wire vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidstress on terminal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Protrusions serve as intermediary structures that provide mechanical support and stress distribution without requiring expensive continuous contact manufacturing. The protrusions absorb and distribute vibration stresses, protecting the terminal connections while maintaining cost-effective gap construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are designed to absorb and cushion the stresses from wire vibrations before these stresses can be transmitted to the terminal connections, providing protective function in advance of potential damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11043761B2Connector

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A connector attached to a device, includes a main body made from resin and having an annular shape, a wire including a terminal, and a shield shell that covers at least a portion of the main body. The shield shell is fixed to the device such that a gap exists between the shield shell and the main body. Protrusions are provided on at least one of (i) a section of the shield shell covering the main body or (ii) a section of the main body covered by the shield shell, the protrusions protruding toward the section of the shield shell or the section of the main body. The protrusions surround a fastening position where the terminal and the terminal fixing section are fastened together.