Electrical Connector Shielding Sheet Extending Portion Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors suffer from damage and short-circuiting issues due to poor mating, which causes deformation of head portions and affects their strength and high-frequency performance.
Innovation Solution
The design includes extending portions on the shielding sheet with bending portions exposed from the tongue, and head portions located between these bending portions and the plate body, enhancing strength and preventing short-circuiting by ensuring proper alignment and distribution of plastic during injection molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the head portions are closely arranged and just face the shielding sheet to achieve compact structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because deformed head portions may easily touch adjacent head portions or the shielding sheet causing short-circuiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by extending the shielding sheet forward beyond the head portions. This extension creates a front-rear dimensional separation where the shielding sheet no longer directly faces the head portions, eliminating the short-circuit risk while preserving compact lateral arrangement of terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended portion of the shielding sheet acts as an intermediary element between the head portions and the original shielding sheet position. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between deformed head portions and the shielding sheet, while the locking groove mechanism mediates the connection between the extending portion and the tongue to maintain structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tongue structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength deteriorates making the tongue vulnerable to damage during improper mating
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: the main tongue body, the groove feature for locking engagement, and the interacting components (extending portion with locking groove and bending portion). This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through integration into the insulating body.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove and locking groove features are pre-designed into the tongue structure to provide mechanical interlocking and cushioning against impact forces during improper mating. This beforehand structural reinforcement prevents tongue damage without requiring complex additional components or post-assembly operations.
3Ease of operation
If the head portions are positioned to face the shielding sheet directly for easy terminal arrangement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability worsens because bent head portions will contact the shielding sheet causing short-circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the conflict by shifting the shielding sheet's position along the front-rear dimension, extending it forward beyond the head portions. This dimensional adjustment allows head portions to maintain their simple lateral arrangement while no longer facing the shielding sheet directly, eliminating the short-circuit risk and preserving high-frequency performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes: an insulating body, including a base and a tongue extending forward from the base, a shielding sheet; and at least one row of terminals accommodated in the insulating body and located at one side of the shielding sheet. A side of the tongue is provided with at least one groove. The shielding sheet is provided with a plate body and at least one extending portion located on a side of the plate body. The extending portion is provided at the side of the tongue, and includes a locking groove exposed from the groove and a bending portion exposed from the tongue. The bending portion is located in front of the plate body and is spaced from the plate body. Each terminals include a head portion embedded in the tongue. In a front-rear direction, each head portion is located between the bending portion and the plate body.