Electrical Connector Shielding Plate Snap-Fit Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electrical connectors face challenges with complex manufacturing processes, high costs, and reduced assembly efficiency due to soldering requirements for connecting metal shielding plates and mounting plates, which can lead to solder slag issues causing short circuits and reliability concerns.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring a metal shielding member with an integrally formed mounting plate and elastic arms, allowing assembly without soldering, and a body with receiving and holding grooves for the shielding plate, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If soldering is used to connect the metal shielding plate and the body, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the soldering process (thermal/chemical system) with a mechanical snap-fit connection system. The elastic arm provides mechanical engagement between the shielding plate and body, eliminating the need for soldering while maintaining connection strength through elastic force and geometric interlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic arm automatically provides both positioning and securing functions through its inherent elasticity. When the shielding plate is inserted, the elastic arm deforms and then snaps into place, self-adjusting to provide secure retention without requiring external soldering operations or additional fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If soldering is used to connect the metal shielding plate and the body, then the connection reliability is improved, but the assembly efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the multi-step soldering process with a single-step mechanical insertion operation. The elastic arm's snap-fit mechanism allows the shielding plate to be quickly installed by simply pushing it into place, dramatically improving assembly speed while maintaining reliable connection through the elastic retention force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic arm is pre-formed with the appropriate elasticity and geometry during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the connection to be made simply through insertion, eliminating the need for on-site soldering operations and enabling rapid assembly while ensuring consistent connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If soldering is used to connect the metal shielding plate and the body, then the connection strength is improved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the soldering process entirely, replacing it with a mechanical elastic arm connection. This substitution removes the need for soldering materials, specialized soldering equipment, and skilled soldering operations, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining adequate connection strength through the elastic retention mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic arm is designed as a simple, inexpensive mechanical component that can be mass-produced through standard forming processes. This replaces the more expensive and complex soldering process, using a cost-effective elastic element that provides sufficient connection strength for the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If soldering is used to connect the metal shielding plate and the body, then the connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming soldering process with an instant mechanical snap-fit connection. The elastic arm's design allows the shielding plate to be securely attached in a single insertion motion, eliminating the heating, melting, and cooling cycles required for soldering, thus dramatically reducing manufacturing time while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Strength

If soldering is used to connect the metal shielding plate and the body, then the connection strength is improved, but the risk of solder slag causing short circuit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidsolder slag contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent completely eliminates the soldering process and replaces it with a mechanical elastic arm connection system. This substitution removes the source of solder slag contamination entirely, as no molten solder is involved. The connection strength is maintained through the elastic force and mechanical interlocking of the snap-fit design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the soldering process from the manufacturing sequence, eliminating the harmful byproduct (solder slag) at its source. By using a purely mechanical connection method, the patent prevents solder slag from falling on conductive terminals, thereby preventing short circuits and improving product reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The new design simplifies assembly, enhances efficiency, and lowers costs by eliminating soldering processes while maintaining effective shielding and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

the metal shielding member further includes an elastic arm extending from the shielding plate, and the elastic arm is held in the holding groove to abut against the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12548954B2Electrical connector and method of making the same with simplified assembly features

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 LUXSHARE PRECISION ACCESSORY SUZHOU LTD

AI summary

An electrical connector includes a body, a number of first conductive terminals, a number of second conductive terminals, and a metal shielding member. The body includes a base portion and a tongue plate protruding beyond the base portion. Each first conductive terminal includes a first mating portion and a first fixing portion. Each second conductive terminal includes a second mating portion and a second fixing portion. The metal shielding member includes a shielding plate located between the first fixing portions of the first conductive terminals and the second fixing portions of the second conductive terminals, and a mounting plate integrally formed with the shielding plate. The metal shielding member is in elastic contact with the body. The present disclosure also discloses a method of making the electrical connector.