Grounding Arm Segmentation for Flexible Electrical Connector Contact

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing board-to-board connectors with metallic shells face issues of inflexible and unstable contact between the metallic shell and grounding terminals due to the short and small size of contacting arms, which hinder effective mechanical and electrical engagement.

Innovation Solution

The design includes an insulating housing with terminal grooves and a shell with grounding arms that have a flexible first portion and a perpendicular second portion, allowing for enhanced flexibility and secure contact with grounding terminals without increasing the shell's thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the contacting arms are made short and small to enter the receiving groove, then the shell can be positioned correctly, but the contacting arms lose flexibility and cannot maintain steady contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding arm is divided into multiple segments: a first portion extending from the shell, a second portion forming a contacting arm, and optionally a third portion. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function - the first portion provides structural support, the second portion provides flexibility for contact, and the third portion (if present) extends the reaching capability into the receiving groove.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding arm extends in multiple directions rather than a single straight line. It has a first portion extending in one direction from the shell, a second portion extending in another direction to contact the grounding terminal, and potentially a third portion extending further to reach into the receiving groove. This multi-dimensional configuration allows the arm to navigate the spatial constraints while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the contacting arms are made short and small to enter the receiving groove, then the shell can be positioned correctly, but the contact stability between metallic shell and grounding terminals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcontact stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding arm is divided into multiple segments: a first portion extending from the shell, a second portion forming a contacting arm, and optionally a third portion. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function - the first portion provides structural support, the second portion provides flexibility for contact, and the third portion (if present) extends the reaching capability into the receiving groove.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding arm is designed with inherent flexibility, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and shape to maintain stable contact with the grounding terminal. The arm can bend and deform within certain limits to accommodate positioning variations and ensure reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the grounding arm is extended to increase flexibility, then the contact reliability improves, but the shell thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact reliabilityVSAvoidshell thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding arm is divided into multiple segments: a first portion extending from the shell, a second portion forming a contacting arm, and optionally a third portion. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function - the first portion provides structural support, the second portion provides flexibility for contact, and the third portion (if present) extends the reaching capability into the receiving groove.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding arm extends in multiple directions rather than a single straight line. It has a first portion extending in one direction from the shell, a second portion extending in another direction to contact the grounding terminal, and potentially a third portion extending further to reach into the receiving groove. This multi-dimensional configuration allows the arm to navigate the spatial constraints while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7578701B2Electrical connector having flexibly and steadily engagement between metallic shells and grounding terminals

Publication Date: 2009.08.25 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

An electrical connector (100) includes an insulating housing having a pair of longitudinal side walls (11) and a pair of end walls (12) connecting the side walls thereby defining a receiving cavity therebetween. A plurality of terminal grooves (13) are defined in an inner side of the side wall and exposed to the receiving cavity. A plurality of terminals are received in said terminal grooves and comprise signal terminals and grounding terminals. At least one shell (3) covers on an outer side of the side wall and defines an upper side and a lower side. At least one grounding arm (33) is formed at the lower side of the shell and spaced to the lower side of the shell thereby forming a slot (333) therebetween. The at least one grounding arm (33) has a first portion (331) abutting against the side wall and a second portion (332) mechanically and electrically contacting with the grounding terminal.