Electric Connector Shell Structure for Mis-Insertion Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric connectors face challenges in reducing erroneous insertion and deformation of the shell due to mismatched connector shapes and orientations, leading to potential damage or breakage during forced insertion.
Innovation Solution
The electric connector design features a metal shell with asymmetrical fitting ports formed by bent band-shaped pieces that block incorrect insertions and enhance stiffness, reducing deformation by distributing force through the edge of the bent pieces rather than the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bent piece is provided at an edge of a fitting port to form an asymmetrical shape, then erroneous insertion is reduced, but the shell is prone to deformation under load
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting port is formed with asymmetrical band-shaped pieces that extend from the side walls at specific angles, creating a shape that prevents erroneous insertion of mismatched connectors while maintaining structural integrity through strategic placement and orientation of these asymmetrical elements
Solution Approach 2:
The shell is divided into multiple side walls (first, second, third, fourth side walls) with band-shaped pieces selectively provided on specific side walls. This segmentation allows the asymmetrical fitting port configuration to prevent erroneous insertion while the coupled side walls maintain overall shell stiffness and resistance to deformation
2Ease of manufacture
If the shell structure is simplified without bent pieces, then manufacturing is easier, but force during insertion causes deformation and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
Band-shaped pieces are provided on the side walls to form the asymmetrical fitting port. These band-shaped pieces are strategically positioned and coupled to the side walls to provide the necessary structural support and force distribution during insertion, preventing deformation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a relatively simple shell structure
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric connector includes: a housing having a plate-shaped body; multiple terminals held on the plate-shaped body; and a metal shell surrounding the plate-shaped body and the terminals and having a tubular shape, the shell has: a fitting port in which a partner connector is to be fitted; two or more side walls provided along a partner connector fitting direction; a coupling portion coupling adjacent ones of the two or more side walls; and a first branched band-shaped piece provided closer to a fitting port side than the coupling portion is to the fitting port side, the first branched band-shaped piece is bent about an axis along the fitting direction from one of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and extends toward another one of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and an edge of the first branched band-shaped piece opposite to the coupling portion forms part of the fitting port.