Connector With Sliding Shields For Offset Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face challenges in absorbing positional offset and effectively combating electromagnetic noise while being susceptible to damage from concentrated stress.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a stationary and movable housing, terminals, and shields that allow orthogonal movement, with a movable shield surrounding the terminal and sliding shields to maintain electrical continuity and prevent noise ingress/emission, and elastic deformation to absorb stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the movable housing is configured from resin without shielding, then the ease of manufacture and cost are improved, but the electromagnetic noise protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into stationary and movable parts, with the shield also segmented into stationary shield and movable shield. This allows the movable housing to remain simple (resin) while adding shielding functionality through separate components that can move independently with the movable housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable shield acts as an intermediary between the movable housing and the electromagnetic environment. It provides shielding protection while moving with the movable housing, preventing direct exposure to electromagnetic noise without requiring the entire housing to be shielded.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shield is rigidly fixed to prevent movement, then the electromagnetic noise protection is improved, but the ability to absorb positional offset deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing the movable shield to move relative to the stationary shield. This dynamic design enables the shield to maintain electromagnetic protection while adapting to positional offsets through controlled movement and elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical continuity between shields is maintained through parameter changes in the form of elastic deformation. The contact portion elastically deforms to maintain electrical contact between the movable shield and stationary shield, allowing positional offset absorption while maintaining shielding effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shield components are in sliding contact to maintain electrical continuity, then the adaptability to positional offset is improved, but the reliability of electrical continuity deteriorates due to potential contact loss
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic deformation of the contact portion serves as a cushioning mechanism that anticipates and compensates for potential contact loss. The elasticity provides a buffer that maintains electrical continuity even when relative movement occurs, preventing complete contact loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact portion utilizes elastic deformation (parameter change) to maintain electrical continuity. By allowing the material to elastically deform rather than remaining rigid, the system maintains electrical contact through a range of movements, converting potential contact loss into controlled elastic displacement.
4Device complexity
If the movable terminal is not shielded, then the device complexity is reduced, but the electromagnetic noise emission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding system is segmented into stationary and movable components, with the movable shield specifically protecting the movable terminal. This segmentation provides targeted shielding for the terminal without requiring complex shielding of the entire connector assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable shield functions as a flexible shielding structure that can move with the movable housing while maintaining its shielding function. This flexible approach provides electromagnetic protection for the terminal without adding significant structural 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
The connector effectively absorbs positional offset, reduces electromagnetic noise, and minimizes damage from stress through orthogonal movement and sliding shields, ensuring stable electrical continuity.
Implementation Method 1
the stationary shield and the movable shield are configured to slide against one another while maintaining electrical continuity
Implementation Method 2
The terminal includes an elastic spring section that has an inverted U-shape
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes: a stationary housing; a movable housing; a stationary terminal that is retained in the stationary housing; a movable terminal that includes a contact portion and that is retained in the movable housing, the contact portion of the movable terminal being configured to follow movement of the movable housing; a movable shield that follows movement of the movable housing; and a stationary shield. The movable shield and the stationary shield are in mutual contact so as to have electrical continuity. The stationary shield and the movable shield are configured to slide against one another while maintaining electrical continuity when the movable housing moves in the front-rear or the left-right direction with respect to the stationary housing.