Elastomeric Connector Shield Ribs to Prevent Axial Collapse
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable connector assemblies used outdoors face challenges due to cyclic expansion and contraction caused by environmental factors, and existing shields are difficult to reopen once closed, necessitating improved installation and disassembly solutions, as well as smaller, more cost-effective designs to accommodate multi-frequency and multi-port devices.
Innovation Solution
A shield for cable connectors made of elastomeric material with a hollow body featuring circumferential and axial ribs, allowing for easier installation and reduced risk of axial collapse, while also enabling a smaller wall thickness for cost reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid housing structures are used as shields, then protection strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in reopening
Solution Approach 1:
The shield transitions from rigid housing structures to elastomeric material, fundamentally changing the physical state and mechanical properties of the shield material. This allows the shield to be flexible and reusable while maintaining adequate protection, enabling easy installation and disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an elastomeric shield that can deform elastically during installation and removal. The flexible nature of the elastomeric material allows the shield to wrap around the connector assembly during installation and be easily removed when needed, solving the operability issue while maintaining protective function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shield volume is reduced for compact layout, then adaptability to multi-port devices is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces circumferential ribs and axial ribs that extend in different spatial dimensions. These ribs add structural reinforcement in the radial and axial directions respectively, enabling the shield to maintain structural stability despite reduced overall volume, thus accommodating compact multi-port device layouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield incorporates multiple circumferential ribs spaced apart in the axial direction and axial ribs spaced in the circumferential direction. This segmentation approach distributes structural reinforcement throughout the shield body, providing enhanced stability and resistance to deformation while maintaining a compact form factor.
3Ease of manufacture
If wall thickness is reduced for cost reduction, then manufacturing cost is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased collapse risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds axial ribs that extend in the axial direction to provide structural reinforcement. These ribs prevent the shield wall from collapsing axially during installation and use, enabling the use of thinner walls that reduce material costs while maintaining adequate reliability and resistance to deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield incorporates multiple circumferential ribs spaced apart in the axial direction. This segmentation provides distributed structural support around the circumference, preventing localized collapse and enabling thinner wall construction that reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining overall structural integrity and reliability.
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
The shield improves installation efficiency by reducing the risk of axial collapse and allows for a smaller, more cost-effective design, addressing the challenges of environmental expansion and contraction and the need for compact, multi-port devices.
Implementation Method 1
the shield having a hollow shield body made of an elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
The utility model relates to a shield, which is used to wrap at least a part of a cable connector. The shield has a hollow shield body made of elastic material. The shield body surrounds a through-hole for receiving the cable connector and is provided with: multiple circumferential ribs, which are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction and protrude outward in the radial direction; and at least one axial rib, which protrudes outward in the radial direction. The shield of the present utility model can reduce the risk of collapse in the axial direction during the process of installing the shield onto the cable's cable connection portion, thereby improving the installation efficiency. Additionally, the shield according to the present utility model allows for a smaller wall thickness, which helps to reduce manufacturing costs. The present utility model also relates to a connector assembly including the above-mentioned shield.