Shield Connector Thermal Contact Structure for Stable Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shield connector's heat dissipation performance is compromised due to potential short shots or voids during resin molding, differences in thermal expansion coefficients between materials, and increased thermal resistance from a long heat dissipation path.
Innovation Solution
A shield connector design featuring a terminal fitting with an insulating heat dissipating member and a spring member that presses the terminal connecting portion against the heat dissipating member and the shield shell, reducing the heat dissipation path and preventing gap formation, even under environmental temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an insulating resin portion is used to integrate the terminal fitting and shield shell, then heat dissipation is improved by eliminating air layers, but short shots or voids may occur during molding reducing heat dissipation performance
Solution Approach 1:
A heat dissipating member made of heat-conductive material is introduced as an intermediary component between the terminal fitting and shield shell. This member has first and second contact surfaces that respectively contact the terminal fitting and shield shell, creating a reliable heat conduction path that is not affected by molding defects of insulating resin.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from insulating resin to heat-conductive material for the heat dissipating member. This material substitution ensures stable thermal contact regardless of molding quality, as the heat-conductive material directly bridges the thermal path between terminal fitting and shield shell.
2Ease of manufacture
If an insulating resin portion is used to integrate components, then manufacturing is simplified, but air layers form due to thermal expansion differences reducing heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipating member serves as a mediator that compensates for thermal expansion differences between materials. By providing a dedicated heat conduction path through this intermediary component, the system maintains effective heat dissipation even when air layers form due to differential expansion of the insulating resin and metal components.
3Device complexity
If the insulating resin portion contacts the terminal fitting, then integration is achieved, but the heat dissipation path becomes long and thermal resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipating member is positioned as an intermediary between the terminal fitting and shield shell, creating a direct and short heat conduction path. This mediator component reduces thermal resistance by establishing intimate contact with both the heat-generating terminal fitting and the heat-dissipating shield shell, bypassing the need for heat to traverse through the insulating resin.
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 stabilizes heat dissipation performance by ensuring direct contact between the heat-generating terminal connecting portion and the shield shell via the heat dissipating member, reducing thermal resistance and preventing performance degradation due to temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member for pressing the terminal connecting portion against the connecting portion side contact surface of the heat dissipating member and pressing the shell side contact surface of the heat dissipating member against the shield shell
Implementation Method 2
an insulating heat dissipating member having a connecting portion side contact surface to be held in contact with the terminal connecting portion and a shell side contact surface to be exposed from the housing and held in contact with the shield shell
Data Source
AI summary
A shield connector includes a terminal fitting including a mating terminal arrangement portion, a mating terminal being inserted into the mating terminal arrangement portion, and a terminal connecting portion to be connected to the mating terminal inserted and arranged in the mating terminal arrangement portion, an insulating housing for accommodating the terminal fitting, a shield shell for covering an outer surface of the housing, an insulating heat dissipating member having a connecting portion side contact surface to be held in contact with the terminal connecting portion and a shell side contact surface to be exposed from the housing and held in contact with the shield shell with the mating terminal arranged in the mating terminal arrangement portion, and a spring member.