Connector Screw End Accommodation for Foreign Body Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Connectors with female screw portions face issues with foreign bodies entering the housing when in use, compromising the integrity of electronic equipment.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a screw end accommodation portion with a female screw seat that accommodates the end of a male screw member, positioned above a mount object like a circuit board, preventing foreign bodies from entering the housing by structuring the accommodation space between the front, rear, and outer surfaces to trap any intruding objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a female screw portion is provided on the connector for securing purposes, then the connector can be firmly fixed to the housing, but foreign bodies can enter through the female screw portion and compromise the housing integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the male screw member inside the accommodation space formed by the shell, with the accommodation space positioned between the front surface portion (containing female screw portion) and rear surface portion. This nested structure allows the male screw member to be securely held within the shell's internal cavity, preventing foreign bodies from reaching the housing through the female screw portion while maintaining firm fixing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the male screw member as an intermediary element between the female screw portion on the front surface and the internal housing. The male screw member receives and secures external fastening while being contained within the accommodation space, acting as a mediator that prevents direct exposure of the housing to foreign bodies entering through the female screw portion
2Device complexity
If the connector structure is simplified without additional protective components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent foreign body entry is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the shell to simultaneously serve as the outer protective structure, the container for the accommodation space, and the holder for the male screw member. The front surface portion with female screw portion, the accommodation space, and the rear surface portion are all integrated into a single shell structure, achieving foreign body protection without adding separate protective components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective shell structure with the screw mounting function by integrating the accommodation space directly into the shell body. The front surface portion, accommodation space, and rear surface portion are combined as one continuous structure, eliminating the need for additional protective covers or separate mounting brackets while maintaining both structural integrity and foreign body protection
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is mountable on a mount object in an up-down direction and connectable with a mating connector along a predetermined direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The mating connector comprises a mating fitting portion and a male screw member. The connector comprises a fitting portion and a screw end accommodation portion. The fitting portion is mateable with the mating fitting portion. The screw end accommodation portion defines an accommodation space which accommodates an end of the male screw member when the connector is connected with the mating connector. The screw end accommodation portion has at least a front surface portion, an upper surface portion, a rear surface portion and an outer surface portion. The front surface portion is provided with a female screw portion which is connectable with the male screw member. The accommodation space is positioned between the front surface portion and the rear surface portion in the predetermined direction.