Connector Sliding Shell Mating Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with protective covers for contacts when not mated tend to increase part count and size, and may unintentionally expose contacts due to rearward force application, leading to inadequate protection.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a sliding shell that moves between mating and protective positions, using engagement and disengagement portions to prevent unintended exposure, with springs biasing the shell to the protective position and lock members ensuring secure mating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective cover separate from the connector body is used to cover contacts, then contact protection is improved, but the number of parts and connector size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is merged with the connector body to form an integrated structure. The sliding shell is formed as one piece with the housing, eliminating the need for a separate protective cover while maintaining contact protection functionality. This resolves the contradiction by reducing part count while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding shell serves multiple functions: it acts as both the protective cover for contacts and the connection interface for the mating connector. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective contact protection.
2Reliability
If a separate protective cover is used, then contact protection is improved, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the protective cover function into the connector body through the sliding shell, the overall connector volume is reduced. The integrated structure eliminates the need for additional space that would be required for a separate protective cover component.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding shell performs dual functions as both protective cover and connection interface, eliminating redundant components and reducing the overall connector size while maintaining effective contact protection.
3Reliability
If engagement portions are added to prevent sliding shell movement, then protection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portions are integrated into the sliding shell and housing structure rather than being separate components. This merging of the locking mechanism into the existing structure provides protection stability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portions automatically engage and disengage based on the sliding shell's position and applied forces. The structure self-regulates to maintain protection stability without requiring additional control mechanisms or increasing overall complexity.
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
This design effectively protects contacts without increasing part count or size, ensuring the contacts remain covered when not mated and securely engaging when mated, preventing unintentional exposure and enhancing grounding for low inductance.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding shell is held on the housing so as to be movable between a mating position and a protective position
Implementation Method 2
with springs biasing the shell to the protective position
Implementation Method 3
The at least one engagement portion is configured to engage with the sliding shell located at the protective position so as to prevent the sliding shell from moving toward the mating position
Implementation Method 4
enhancing grounding for low inductance
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is matable with a mating connector. The connector has a contact, a housing, a sliding shell, at least one engagement portion and at least one disengagement portion. The housing holds the contact. The sliding shell covers, at least in part, the contact and the housing. The sliding shell is held on the housing so as to be movable between a mating position and a protective position. The connector is mated with the mating connector when the sliding shell is positioned at the mating position. The sliding shell is laid, at least in part, beyond a front end of the housing when the sliding shell is positioned at the protective position. The at least one engagement portion is configured to engage with the sliding shell located at the protective position so as to prevent the sliding shell from moving toward the mating position. The at least one disengagement portion is configured to disengage the engagement portion from the sliding shell when the at least one disengagement portion is brought into contact with the mating connector upon a mating process between the connector and the mating connector.