Electrical Connector Shell With Unitary Grounding Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors lack a simplified structure and effective engagement mechanism for grounding components, leading to complex manufacturing processes and potential reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a metallic shell with a unitary grounding member having opposing fingers that engage with a complementary connector's grounding piece, simplifying the structure and ensuring reliable engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete shielding members are used, then the grounding function can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shielding member and grounding member into a single integrated unitary structure. The metallic shell includes both the shielding function and the grounding finger protrusions formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate discrete components. This merging simplifies manufacturing while ensuring reliable grounding engagement through the integrated design.
2Reliability
If multiple discrete grounding components are used, then grounding coverage is improved, but the structure becomes complex and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding function is integrated into the metallic shell structure itself, with grounding fingers formed directly as protrusions on the shell. This eliminates the need for separate grounding components and simplifies assembly to a single operation, while maintaining comprehensive grounding coverage through the distributed finger protrusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic shell serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides shielding, structural support, and grounding through its integrated finger protrusions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated grounding components, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly while maintaining effective grounding coverage.
3Reliability
If a unitary grounding member with opposing fingers is used, then engagement reliability is enhanced, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opposing grounding fingers are formed as integral protrusions on the metallic shell rather than separate components. This merging of the grounding finger design into the shell structure enhances engagement reliability through precise positioning while avoiding the design complexity of separate finger components and their associated assembly mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes: an insulative housing having a receiving channel; plural contacts secured to the insulative housing and exposed to the receiving channel; and a metallic shell secured to the insulative housing and exposed to the receiving channel, the metallic shell having a unitary grounding member, wherein the grounding member has a pair of opposing fingers spaced apart a gap.