Connector Shielding Portion for Storage Device Terminal Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connectors for flash disks are prone to damage and signal instability due to repeated plugging and unplugging, leading to potential electric disconnection and unreliable data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a shielding portion within the housing that protects the terminals from external forces, combined with a sandwich structure using wing portions and elastic pieces for enhanced mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, ensuring stable connections between the storage module and the connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the connector structure is simplified for ease of assembly, then the assembly process becomes easier, but the connection strength and reliability deteriorate due to repeated plugging and unplugging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector housing is segmented into a body portion and a shielding portion that can be assembled separately. The shielding portion is subsequently crimped onto the storage module, dividing the assembly process into manageable stages that ensure proper positioning and secure connection without requiring complex one-step assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding portion is first assembled to the connector body to form a pre-assembled unit with the terminals properly positioned. This preliminary assembly ensures that the terminals are correctly aligned and protected before the final crimping operation connects the connector to the storage module, improving both assembly ease and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If the connector housing is made more robust to improve connection strength, then the mechanical strength improves, but the device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding function is extracted as a separate portion from the main connector body. This shielding portion can be independently manufactured and then crimped onto the storage module, allowing the main body to remain compact while the shielding portion provides the necessary mechanical strength and protection for the terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector employs a composite structure combining the connector body material with the shielding portion material. The shielding portion is crimped onto the storage module to form a composite assembly that leverages the strengths of both materials - the body provides structural support while the shielding portion enhances connection strength and terminal protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If the terminals are exposed for easy connection, then the electrical connection becomes simpler, but the terminals become vulnerable to damage from external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection simplicityVSAvoidterminal vulnerability to external forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The terminals are nested within the shielding portion which acts as a protective shell. The shielding portion encloses the terminals during the crimping process and maintains this protective configuration during use, allowing electrical connection while shielding the terminals from external mechanical forces that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding portion serves as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the terminals. It transmits and distributes mechanical forces away from the vulnerable terminals while maintaining electrical connectivity, protecting the terminals from direct exposure to harmful external forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9281631B2Connector and storage device using the same
Publication Date: 2016.03.08 PHISON ELECTRONICS
  • US9281631B2 patent drawing
  • US9281631B2 patent drawing
  • US9281631B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A connector suitable for a storage device is provided. The storage device has a storage module. The connector includes a body, a plurality of terminals, and a housing. The terminals are disposed in the body, and a first end of each terminal protrudes from the body and is electrically connected to the storage module. The housing covers the body and has an indentation and a shielding portion. The first end of each terminal is located at the indentation. The shielding portion shields the indentation, and the first end of each terminal is located between the shielding portion and the storage module. A storage device is also provided.