Stacked Electrical Connector Shield Structure for Receptacle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors face issues with the shift of upper receptacle assemblies in the shell, leading to deteriorated connection reliability, particularly when multiple receptacle assemblies are used, as the formation of engagement protrusions on the shell's inner surfaces is hindered by the molding process.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a shield member positioned between the lower and upper receptacle assemblies, which engages with the cylindrical portion of the upper receptacle assembly's housing, preventing the shift of the upper assembly and enhancing contact reliability by press-fitting into an engagement recess.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If engagement protrusions are formed on the inner surfaces of the shell to prevent shift of receptacle assemblies, then holding force is improved, but the molding process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the holding function into two separate components: the shell provides the engagement recess, and the shield member provides the engagement protrusion. This segmentation allows the shell to be molded without complex features, while the shield member is separately formed with the protrusion that engages both the shell and the receptacle assembly, thereby improving holding force without complicating the shell molding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield member acts as an intermediary component between the shell and the receptacle assembly. It mediates the holding function by providing engagement protrusions that interact with both the engagement recess in the shell and the receptacle assembly, thus improving holding force while keeping the shell's molding process simple.
2Productivity
If multiple receptacle assemblies are used to increase connection capacity, then data transmission capability is improved, but position stability of upper assemblies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies segmentation by providing individual shield members for each receptacle assembly position (upper and lower). Each shield member independently engages with its corresponding receptacle assembly and the shell, ensuring that each assembly maintains stable positioning regardless of the presence of multiple assemblies, thus preserving position stability while enabling increased data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield member serves as an intermediary that stabilizes each receptacle assembly individually. By positioning the shield member between the shell and each receptacle assembly, it mediates the positional stability, preventing shift of upper assemblies even when multiple assemblies are used to enhance data transmission capability.
3Reliability
If the shield member engages with the upper receptacle assembly to prevent shift, then contact reliability is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic shielding, acts as a positioning element with engagement protrusions, and serves as a structural support component. By integrating these functions into a single component, the invention improves contact reliability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the shielding function and the positioning/holding function into a single shield member component. This consolidation allows the shield member to engage with both the shell and the receptacle assembly, improving contact reliability while avoiding the need for separate shielding and positioning components, thus limiting the increase in structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electrical connector 1 includes at least one lower receptacle assembly 2L, at least one upper receptacle assembly 2U located on the upper side of the at least one lower receptacle assembly 2L, at least one shield member 3 located between the at least one lower receptacle assembly 2L and the at least one upper receptacle assembly 2U, and a metal shell 4 for holding the at least one lower receptacle assembly 2L, the at least one upper receptacle assembly 2U, and the at least one shield member 3. The at least one shield member 3 engages with a cylindrical portion 221 of an upper housing 22U of the at least one upper receptacle assembly 2U.