Inverted Skirt Cable Shield Connector for Secure Insertion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable shield connectors face difficulties in maintaining electrical continuity due to displacement of the end shield portion during crimping, leading to issues in inserting the ferrule assembly into the connector housing and compromising the connection between the cable shield and the connector shield.

Innovation Solution

A cable shield connector with an inverted skirt design, where the sidewalls of the skirt extend towards the distal end and contact corresponding sections of the connector shield, ensuring secure insertion and continuous electrical contact, and optionally featuring an intermediate section to prevent arcing with the conductive core.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the end shield portion is designed to extend forward during crimping, then the cable shield can be securely crimped, but the end shield portion becomes displaced and difficult to insert into the connector housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable shield connection strengthVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional shield extension direction by designing an inverted skirt that extends backward toward the base portion instead of forward. This inversion allows the shield to be securely crimped while the inverted skirt geometry facilitates easy insertion into the connector housing by guiding it into place rather than obstructing insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the end shield portion is displaced during assembly, then insertion becomes difficult, but continuous electrical contact between the shield and connector is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidelectrical continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inverted skirt acts as an intermediary element between the ferrule assembly and the connector housing. It provides a guiding surface that facilitates proper alignment and insertion while maintaining the electrical connection path, thereby simultaneously improving assembly ease and ensuring electrical continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the inverted skirt sidewalls contact the connector shield, then electrical continuity is ensured, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical continuityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inverted skirt serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the crimped cable shield, guides the assembly into the connector housing during insertion, and establishes electrical contact with the connector shield. By combining these functions into a single component, the design ensures electrical continuity without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4099505A1Improved cable shield connector
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP4099505A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4099505A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4099505A1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

A cable shield connector (200) for ensuring electrical continuity between a shielded electrical connector (300) and a shielded cable (100), the cable shield connector (200) comprising: a ferrule portion (230) defining an opening (202) for receiving a portion of the shielded cable (100) and an outer surface (232) for contacting a cable shield (13) of the shielded cable (100), the ferrule portion (230) extending axially from a distal end (201) of the ferrule portion (230) to a base portion (250) of the cable shield connector (200); wherein the base portion (250) is positioned radially outside the ferrule portion (230) and comprises at a periphery section (253) a shielding connector section (251) defining an inverted skirt (257) extending towards the distal end (201) and at least partially surrounding the base portion (250), the inverted skirt (257) defining sidewalls (257a) for contacting corresponding sections of a connector shield (311) of the shielded electrical connector (300).