Electrical Connector Shielding Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical connectors have complex configurations and high manufacturing costs due to multiple assembling configurations required for shielding members, which also fail to fully shield electromagnetic radiation, affecting signal transmission quality.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring a combined body with a grounding metal plate and outer shielding shell, along with an inner shielding shell, simplifies assembly and enhances electromagnetic shielding by forming multiple grounding circuits through connecting elastic tabs, thereby reducing assembly complexity and improving shielding effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple shielding members and terminals are added to improve electromagnetic shielding and signal quality, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic shielding effectivenessVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple shielding members into a single integrated shielding structure that is molded as one piece with the insulative body. The shielding members are integrated into the insulative body through injection molding, forming a unified structure that maintains electromagnetic shielding effectiveness while reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulative body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, electrical insulation, and electromagnetic shielding. The shielding members are integrated into the insulative body, allowing the insulative body to simultaneously perform insulation and shielding functions, thereby reducing the need for separate shielding components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple shielding members and terminals are added to improve electromagnetic shielding and signal quality, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic shielding effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple shielding members into a single integrated shielding structure that is molded as one piece with the insulative body. The shielding members are integrated into the insulative body through injection molding, forming a unified structure that maintains electromagnetic shielding effectiveness while reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding members are pre-integrated into the insulative body during the injection molding process. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for separate assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while ensuring proper positioning and shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If terminals are provided on two opposite side surfaces of the tongue to improve connectivity, then connection versatility is improved, but assembly difficulty and configuration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection versatilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the terminals into two groups based on their location: first terminals on the first side surface and second terminals on the second side surface. This segmentation allows for standardized assembly processes for each group while maintaining the versatility of having terminals on both sides. The modular arrangement simplifies the assembly process compared to a fully integrated complex configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional shielding structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but electromagnetic radiation leaks through the insulative body affecting signal quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidelectromagnetic radiation leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple shielding members into a single integrated shielding structure that is molded as one piece with the insulative body. The shielding members are integrated into the insulative body through injection molding, forming a unified structure that maintains electromagnetic shielding effectiveness while reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent addresses the harmful effect of electromagnetic radiation leakage by integrating shielding members directly into the insulative body. The shielding members are positioned to intercept electromagnetic radiation before it can leak through the insulative body, converting the potential harm of radiation leakage into a benefit by using the insulative body itself as the medium for integrating the shielding structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10008811B2Electrical connector
Publication Date: 2018.06.26 MOLEX INC

AI summary

An electrical connector suitable to mate with another mating connector comprises an combined body, a grounding metal plate and an outer shielding shell. The combined body comprises a first terminal module and a second terminal module. The first terminal module has a first insulative piece and a plurality of first terminals. The first insulative piece has a first base portion and a first tongue portion. Each first terminal forms a first mating portion and a first soldering portion. The second terminal module has a second insulative piece assembled with the first insulative piece and a plurality of second terminals. The second insulative piece has a second base portion and a second tongue portion. Each second terminal forms a second mating portion and a second soldering portion. The grounding metal plate is interposed between the first terminal module and the second terminal module. The outer shielding shell surrounds an outer space of the first tongue portion and an outer space of the second tongue portion, and forms a mating cavity for insertion of the mating connector.