Connector Assembly Terminal Positioning and High Frequency Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high frequency connector assemblies face challenges in accurately and easily positioning terminals to achieve desired high frequency properties, as terminal position deviations in the axial center direction lead to poor assembly workability and compromised high frequency performance.

Innovation Solution

The connector assembly incorporates a terminal holder that controls and eliminates position deviations in the axial center direction, ensuring accurate and easy positioning of terminals, and features a cylindrical air gap for effective shielding, which includes a plug terminal holder and socket terminal holder to maintain consistent protrusion dimensions and reduce noise interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If pin contacts are assembled one by one from the outer circumferential surface side, then the connector can be manufactured using simple processes, but the positions of the pin contacts easily deviate in the axial center direction, resulting in poor high frequency properties and time-consuming position adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly process simplicityVSAvoidterminal position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into multiple functional components: a retention body with contact chambers, a connector sleeve with first and second connector portions, and terminal holders. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the terminal holders maintain precise axial positions while the assembly process remains straightforward

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Terminal holders are introduced as intermediary components between the retention body and the pin contacts. These holders act as mediators that precisely position multiple pin contacts in the axial center direction, eliminating position deviations without complicating the overall assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If terminal positions are adjusted manually to achieve accurate alignment, then high frequency properties can be obtained, but the assembly workability deteriorates and the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal position accuracyVSAvoidassembly workability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal holders are designed to preliminarily establish the correct axial positions of pin contacts during the assembly process itself, rather than requiring post-assembly adjustments. The holders are positioned in advance within the connector sleeve, ensuring that pin contacts are automatically aligned when inserted

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal holders provide self-positioning functionality, where the holders themselves maintain their axial positions through the connector structure. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external adjustment operations, allowing workers to simply assemble components without time-consuming position corrections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If terminal positions are not precisely controlled in the axial center direction, then assembly workability is maintained, but position deviations occur and desired high frequency properties cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidhigh frequency performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal holders serve multiple functions simultaneously: they support pin contacts, maintain precise axial positions, and ensure consistent protrusion dimensions. This multi-functionality allows the connector to achieve high frequency performance without sacrificing assembly efficiency, as the same component that simplifies assembly also guarantees positional accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2722937B1Connector assembly
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 OMRON CORP
  • EP2722937B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP2722937B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP2722937B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One aspect of the present invention provides a connector, in which positioning of a terminal is accurately and easily performed and a desired high frequency property is obtained. A plug terminal (20) of a plug (10) connected one of electric signal lines, and the plug terminal (20) is connected to the other electric signal line and inserted in a terminal hole (14) of a plug body (11). The plug terminal (20) is press-fitted in and electrically connected to a socket terminal (70) of a socket (60) connected to the other electric signal line and inserted in a terminal hole (64) of a socket body (61). A plug holder (55) of the plug (10) and a socket holder (90) of the socket (60) are connected to each other. Particularly, a position is controlled by sandwiching one end portion of at least one of the plug terminal (20) inserted in the terminal hole (14) of the plug body (11) and the socket terminal (70) inserted in the terminal hole (64) of the socket body (61) between the body and a terminal holder made of an insulating material in an axial center direction.