Intermediate Electrical Connector Plate Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intermediate electrical connectors require larger sizes to accommodate physical displacement between mating connectors, leading to increased size and complexity, making it difficult to maintain connection stability and ease of production.
Innovation Solution
The use of supporting members made of plate material that house and support intermediate connecting members without the need for slit-like housing groove portions, allowing for closer placement and reduced size, along with the ability to function as shielding plates for improved grounding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slit-like housing groove portions are used to house intermediate members, then the intermediate members can be held in place, but the housing size increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into an upper housing and a lower housing that can be separately assembled. The intermediate members are housed in the lower housing, while the upper housing is positioned separately. This segmentation simplifies the overall housing structure and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection stability through the distributed support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate members are nested within the lower housing, which itself is part of the overall connector assembly. The upper housing then nests over the lower housing, creating a compact nested structure. This nesting approach allows the intermediate members to be held securely without requiring complex external housing structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If groove portion width is increased to accommodate displacement, then physical displacement can be absorbed, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate members are designed with flexible contact sections that can dynamically adjust their position to accommodate physical displacement between mating connectors. The contact sections can bend and deform elastically, allowing the connector to adapt to displacement without requiring increased housing dimensions. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between displacement accommodation and compact size.
3Volume of stationary object
If intermediate members are placed closer together, then connector size is reduced, but shielding and grounding effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Shielding plates are selectively positioned at specific locations where electromagnetic interference is most critical, rather than providing continuous shielding throughout the entire connector. The shielding plates are placed adjacent to the intermediate members in the arrangement direction, providing localized electromagnetic protection. This local quality approach maintains grounding effectiveness while allowing intermediate members to be placed closer together, reducing overall connector volume.
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediate electrical connector is to be connected to a mating connecting member. The intermediate electrical connector includes an intermediate connecting member; a blade disposed in the intermediate connecting member; and a supporting member for supporting the intermediate connecting member. The intermediate connecting member includes a supported portion disposed on a side surface portion thereof and supported on the supporting member. The supporting member is formed of a plate member facing the side surface portion of the intermediate connecting member. The supporting member includes a supporting portion accommodated in the supported portion or receiving the supported portion with a space in between.