Automotive H-MTD Connector with V-Shaped Shielding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current H-MTD connectors for automotive applications, such as 4K camera systems and autonomous driving, face challenges in robustness and ease of assembly, particularly in high-frequency data transmission applications exceeding 15 GHz or 20 Gbps, requiring improved mechanical stability and assembly efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The connector design incorporates V- or U-shaped portions on outer shielding contacts to prevent radial deformation and facilitate self-centering during assembly, with a distal ring element to preload the first group of shielding contacts, enhancing robustness and reducing assembly force, while maintaining a compact size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional H-MTD connector design is used, then data transmission capability is achieved, but mechanical robustness and assembly ease are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical robustnessVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The V- or U-shaped portions are pre-formed on the outer shielding contacts during manufacturing, creating built-in alignment features that automatically guide the contacts into proper position during assembly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connector components are designed to self-align and self-center during assembly through the geometric shape of the V- or U-shaped portions, which naturally guide the outer shielding contacts to their correct positions without requiring external alignment tools or complex fixtures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Strength

If outer shielding contacts are made more robust, then radial deformation is prevented, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial deformation resistanceVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The V- or U-shaped portions modify the geometric parameters of the outer shielding contacts, creating controlled deformation zones that allow the contacts to maintain radial strength while accommodating assembly variations and reducing overall assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If connector size is reduced for automotive applications, then package size is minimized, but mechanical stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector package sizeVSAvoidmechanical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The V- or U-shaped portions are integrated directly into the outer shielding contact structure, nesting the alignment and stabilization functions within the existing contact geometry rather than adding separate external components, thus maintaining compact size while improving mechanical stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3783754A1Connector for automotive applications

Publication Date: 2021.02.24 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG

Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

Connector for automotive applications comprising: at least one inner signal contact and a plurality of outer shielding contacts, wherein the outer shielding contacts are arranged around the inner signal contact, and wherein at least two of the outer shielding contacts each comprise at least one V- or U-shaped portion.