Electrical Connector Shielding Plate Alignment and Impact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors with metallic shielding plates tend to lose their true positions during assembly due to tilting issues when the upper and lower terminal modules are sandwiched vertically within the metallic shield.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring an insulative housing with two rows of contacts and a metallic shielding plate, where the rear portion of the terminal module abuts against a stopping wall with alignment posts and grooves, ensuring correct positioning through the cooperation of these features, preventing direct impact during mating and maintaining alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the upper terminal module and the lower terminal module are sandwiched vertically within the metallic shield, then the assembly structure is formed, but the terminal modules tend to tilt during assembling, thus losing the true positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly structureVSAvoidposition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming alignment posts on the metallic piece and alignment grooves on the stopping wall before assembly. These alignment features are prepared in advance to guide the terminal modules into correct positions during assembly, preventing tilting and ensuring accurate positioning without requiring additional adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses alignment posts and alignment grooves as intermediary elements between the metallic piece and the stopping wall. These intermediaries facilitate precise positioning by providing mechanical guidance and constraint during assembly, ensuring that the terminal modules maintain their true positions without direct contact between the main components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the terminal module is secured within the metallic shield, then the connector structure is stabilized, but direct impact during mating may damage the terminal module

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector structureVSAvoidterminal module protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the main board to extend forwardly beyond the stopping wall, creating a protective barrier that absorbs and distributes impact forces before they reach the terminal module. This forward extension acts as a cushioning element that prevents direct impact damage to the delicate terminal components during mating operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The main board serves as an intermediary protective element between the external impact forces and the terminal module. By extending forwardly, it intercepts and mitigates direct impact, protecting the terminal module from damage while maintaining the overall structural stability of the connector assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If alignment posts and alignment grooves are used to ensure correct positioning, then the true position is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidalignment features

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the alignment functionality into the existing structural components. The alignment posts are formed as integral features of the metallic piece, and the alignment grooves are incorporated into the stopping wall structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate alignment mechanisms, maintaining position accuracy while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The metallic piece and stopping wall serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, define the connector geometry, and simultaneously provide alignment features through integrated posts and grooves. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9929513B2Electrical connector with metallic shielding plate unitarily formed with verticla board

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LTD

AI summary

An electrical connector includes a terminal module enclosed within a metallic shield wherein the terminal module includes an insulative housing with two rows of contacts and a metallic shielding plate therebetween. The terminal module includes a rear portion and a front portion extending forwardly from the rear portion. The shield includes a stopping wall with an opening extending therethrough in a front-to-back direction so that the rear portion of the terminal module abuts against the stopping wall while the front portion of the terminal module extends through the opening forwardly.