Connector Shell Lateral Arm Elastic Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors face challenges in providing sufficient elastic force to their arms, making it difficult to adjust the elastic force and efficiently utilize material resources, leading to ineffective shielding and size limitations.

Innovation Solution

The connector design changes the connection point of the elastic arm to the cover portion on the lateral side, allowing for enhanced elastic force, reduced material usage, and improved shielding by using a first shell to cover the housing, while a recess and biased elastic arm enhance the fixing force and shielding effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the arm is connected to the cover portion at the back of the arm, then the connector structure is simple, but the elastic force of the arm is insufficient and difficult to adjust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelastic force of the armVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the connection position from the back of the arm (one-dimensional positioning) to the lateral side of the arm (two-dimensional positioning). This spatial repositioning allows the arm to be supported closer to its free end, significantly enhancing elastic force while maintaining structural simplicity through the lateral connection point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of substance

If the arm is connected at the back of the coupling portion, then the connector can be assembled, but a long plate material is necessary and material is used uselessly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplate materialVSAvoidarm formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the unnecessary back portion of the plate material that would be required if the arm were connected at the back of the coupling portion. By positioning the connection at the lateral side, the design eliminates the need for extended plate material on the back side, reducing material waste while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard bending processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the plate material is extended on the back side of the coupling portion, then the arm can be formed, but the shielding effect is reduced and the connector size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding effectVSAvoidconnector size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the arm connection from the back side (extending in the fitting direction) to the lateral side (extending in the width direction). This dimensional change allows the connector to achieve the necessary arm formation without extending the plate material in the fitting direction, thereby improving shielding effect and reducing connector size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design enhances the elastic force of the arm, facilitates its adjustment, reduces material usage, and improves the shielding effect, enabling a more compact and effective connector device.

Implementation Method 1

a connector (10) including: a housing (20); an elastic arm (50) having one end supported by the housing (20) in a cantilever manner and the other end configured to engage a partner connector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3422488B1Connector comprising shell having locking mechanism, and connector device
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 HIROSE ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3422488B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3422488B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3422488B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is intended to enhance elastic force of an arm and reduce a plate material necessary for forming the arm to effectively use a resource. Provided is a connector fittable to a partner connector, the connector including an insulating housing, a contact, and a conductive shell. The shell includes at least a metal shell formed from a single metal plate. The metal shell includes a cover portion configured to cover at least part of a side portion outer peripheral surface of the housing, an elastic arm having a free end on the side of fitting to the partner connector, and a support portion coupled to a lateral side of the elastic arm to elastically connect the cover portion and the elastic arm and configured to support the elastic arm in a cantilever manner. The cover portion and the elastic arm have substantially opposing surfaces. The elastic arm has a lock portion configured to lock fitting between the connector and the partner connector at a position closer to a free end side than the support portion.