Plug Connector Protective Shield for Fastener and Guide Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical plug connectors lack comprehensive protection for their elastic fasteners and have weak guiding structures due to isolated design.

Innovation Solution

The plug connector incorporates a protective shield that covers the elastic fastener and is integrated with guiding structures, providing both protection and structural strength by spanning over the pressing piece and being higher than the guiding structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the elastic fastener is exposed and completely unprotected in conventional plug connectors, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the protective capability for the elastic fastener is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection for elastic fastenerVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield is divided into multiple sections: a main body portion covering the elastic fastener, and extending portions that can be inserted into the socket connector housing. This segmentation allows the shield to provide comprehensive protection while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates with the existing connector components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective shield is made from an insulating material that is different from the insulative body material, creating a composite structure. This allows the shield to provide both mechanical protection for the elastic fastener and electrical insulation, addressing the protection need without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the guiding structures are independently attached to the insulative body, then the assembly is easy to manufacture, but the structural strength and integration of the guiding structures are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strength of guiding structuresVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield is integrated with the guiding structures, merging these previously separate components into a single unified structure. The shield's extending portions are inserted into the socket connector housing alongside the guiding structures, creating a more integrated and structurally sound assembly that reduces the number of separate attachment operations needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective shield serves multiple functions: it protects the elastic fastener, provides guiding alignment during insertion, and strengthens the overall connector structure. By combining these functions into a single component, the design achieves higher structural strength without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12170422B2Plug connector with protective structure

Publication Date: 2024.12.17 BELLWETHER ELECTRONIC CORP

AI summary

The present invention discloses a plug connector including an elastic fastener and a protective shield. The protective shield provides protection for the elastic fastener by covering or blocking the latter. In a typical example, the protective shield includes a main plate. The protective shield spans over a pressing piece of the elastic fastener and is overlapped with at least one portion of the pressing piece so as to cover and protect the latter.