Integrated Shell Ground Terminal for Connector Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connector assemblies require a higher number of components and assembly steps due to separate ground terminals and shell-like conductors, lacking an integrated structure that includes ground terminals in both connectors, which complicates assembly and increases component count.

Innovation Solution

Integrally forming a shell with a ground terminal in the connector assembly, where the ground terminal is elastically deformable and pressed into the insulator, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly by combining the ground terminal with the shell, allowing for easy disposition on an insulator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ground terminals and shell-like conductors are made as separate components, then each component can be optimized independently, but the number of components and assembly steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding performanceVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ground terminal and shell-like conductor into a single integrated component. The ground terminal is formed as an extension of the shell-like conductor, eliminating the need for separate assembly of these two components while maintaining their individual shielding functions. This reduces the total component count and simplifies the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If ground terminals are made as separate flat plate parts, then manufacturing is simple, but they cannot elastically deform to enable favorable connection with mating ground terminals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidconnection adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ground terminal is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its shape during connection. The extension portion of the shell-like conductor is formed with sufficient thickness and flexibility to elastically deform, enabling favorable connection with mating ground terminals while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integral forming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If ground terminals are integrally formed with the shell, then the number of components is reduced, but the ground terminal becomes difficult to dispose on the insulator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent countVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated ground terminal and shell-like conductor structure is segmented into functional zones: the shell-like conductor portion for outer shielding and the extension portion (ground terminal) for inner shielding and electrical connection. This segmentation allows the insulator to be designed with corresponding receiving portions that guide and position the ground terminal during assembly, making the integrated structure easy to dispose on the insulator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If both connector and mating connector include ground terminals, then shielding is improved, but the assembly requires higher precision and more steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidassembly precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the ground terminal with the shell-like conductor in both the connector and mating connector, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be assembled. This integration maintains the dual-side shielding effectiveness while reducing assembly precision requirements by eliminating multiple separate assembly steps for ground terminals and shells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach reduces the number of components, facilitates easier assembly, and enables favorable connection with mating ground terminals while maintaining effective shielding performance.

Implementation Method 1

a one-piece metal component which includes a shell and a ground terminal which is extended from the shell and elastically deformable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The extension portion is pressed into the insulator and consequently, the insulator is fixed in the shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPress-fitting: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11652323B2Connector assembly comprising a connector encolsed by a shell and a mating connector enclosed by a mating shell

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS IND LTD

AI summary

In a connector assembly in which a connector that includes an insulator, signal terminals and a ground terminal which are disposed on the insulator, and a shell having conductivity and a mating connector that includes a mating insulator, mating signal terminals and a mating ground terminal which are disposed on the mating insulator, and a mating shell having conductivity are fitted to each other, the shell includes a frame-like portion that is an outer shell of the connector and an extension portion that is extended from the frame-like portion toward an inside of a frame of the frame-like portion, the ground terminal is integrally formed with the extension portion so that the ground terminal is elastically deformable, and the insulator is fixed and held in the shell by pressing a press-fitting portion included in the extension portion into a press-fitted portion of the insulator.