Electrical Connector Shielding via Spring Plate Contact Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB connectors mounted adjacent to printed circuit boards in portable electronic devices suffer from electromagnetic interference, affecting the performance of peripheral electronic devices due to the generation of electromagnetic waves.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the number of spring plates on the electrical connector's housing and the contact area between the housing and the plug, by forming specific giveaway spaces for spring plates that extend from the top and bottom walls, to enhance electromagnetic shielding when the connector plug is inserted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If USB connectors are mounted adjacent to the printed circuit board for user convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but electromagnetic interference to peripheral devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
Spring plates are introduced as intermediary shielding elements between the USB connector and the printed circuit board. These spring plates make contact with the iron housing of the connector plug and extend toward the circuit board, acting as a mediator to redirect electromagnetic waves and prevent them from interfering with peripheral devices while maintaining connector functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the contact area between housing and plug is increased to reduce electromagnetic interference, then shielding effect is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding structure is segmented into multiple spring plates (first spring plates near the first opening, second spring plate near the second opening, and third spring plates near the second opening) rather than using a single large shielding element. This segmentation allows the complex shielding function to be distributed across multiple simpler components, each making contact with the iron housing at different locations to collectively increase the contact area and shielding effect
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 increased contact area effectively reduces electromagnetic interference by directing electromagnetic waves to ground, thereby minimizing noise interference and improving the shielding effect compared to conventional connectors.
Implementation Method 1
the contact portion of the second spring plate makes contact with the iron housing such that the contact portion is selectively received in the accommodating space or the second giveaway space... the contact portions of the first, second and third spring plates make contact with the iron housing of the connector plug so as to increase the contact area between the housing and the connector plug. Therefore, the shielding effect for the electromagnetic waves generated during operation which might cause interference of the peripheral electronic products is increased
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector is provided, including a main body, first terminals installed at a seat of the main body, second terminals embedded in the seat, and a housing. The housing has a bottom wall, two side walls, and a top wall, and defines an accommodating space having a first opening and a second opening. A plurality of first spring plates are disposed on the top wall and bottom wall. A second spring plate is disposed near the second opening of the top wall. Third spring plates are disposed near the second opening of the bottom wall. When a connector plug is plugged into the electrically connector, the first, second and third spring plates make contact with an iron housing of the connector plug to increase the contact area between the connector plug and the electrical connector, and reduce electromagnetic interference to peripheral devices.