Grounding Contact Merging Shell and Terminal Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors with grounding structures, such as spring plates or side grounding beams, complicate manufacturing and operation due to their complexity.

Innovation Solution

An electrical plug connector design featuring two rows of contacts within an insulative housing enclosed by a metallic shell, where the grounding contact includes a first section for terminal contact and a second section for grounding collar contact, with the second section optionally connected to the metallic shell, simplifying manufacturing and operation by reducing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If grounding spring plates or side grounding beams are used, then grounding functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrounding functionalityVSAvoidgrounding structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding contact merges the grounding function with the existing contact structure by integrating a grounding section into the contact assembly. This eliminates the need for separate grounding spring plates or side grounding beams, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective grounding functionality through the unified contact structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact structure is designed to serve multiple functions: signal/power transmission through the contacting section and grounding through the grounding section. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated separate grounding components, simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring reliable grounding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If complex grounding structures like spring plates are used, then grounding reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrounding reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding contact combines the grounding function with the contact assembly into a single integrated structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate grounding spring plates that require additional manufacturing steps and assembly operations, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining grounding reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding contact is segmented into a contacting section and a grounding section, allowing each part to be optimized for its specific function while being manufactured as an integrated unit. This segmentation within integration simplifies the manufacturing process compared to assembling multiple separate grounding components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10148043B2Electrical connector with extended grounding contact touching shell

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LTD

AI summary

An electrical plug connector for mating with a complementary receptacle connector, includes an insulative housing enclosed within a metallic shell and forming a mating cavity and two rows of contacts disposed in the housing by opposite sides of the mating cavity in the vertical direction. The grounding contact includes a first contacting section for contacting the corresponding terminal of the complementary receptacle connector and a second contacting section in front of the first contacting section for contacting the grounding collar of the complementary receptacle connector wherein the second contacting section is optionally connected to the metallic shell.