Hollow Cylindrical Shield Element for PCB Connector Tolerance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printed-circuit-board connectors face challenges in achieving sufficient mechanical tolerance compensation between the printed circuit board and the device housing while maintaining a reliable electrical ground connection, particularly due to limited tolerance ranges in structural designs.

Innovation Solution

A shield element formed from a metallic sheet, bent into a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with radially outward contact tabs and a ground terminal, is designed to be plugged onto the insulating body, allowing for increased tolerance range and providing a stable, elastic, and shielding connection between the connector housing and the printed circuit board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid shield element is used to ensure reliable electrical ground connection, then electrical reliability is improved, but mechanical tolerance compensation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical ground connection reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical tolerance compensation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shield element is designed with elastic properties allowing it to deform flexibly. The element can bend and adapt to dimensional variations between the printed circuit board and housing wall while maintaining continuous electrical contact, thus providing both reliability and tolerance compensation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the shield element from rigid to elastic. By selecting appropriate material properties and geometric dimensions, the element exhibits elastic deformation characteristics that enable it to accommodate mechanical tolerances while preserving electrical conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible shield element is used to increase tolerance range, then mechanical adaptability is improved, but electrical connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance rangeVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shield element is designed as a thin-walled hollow cylinder that can deform elastically. This flexible structure allows the element to adapt to various positions within the tolerance range while maintaining continuous contact with the housing wall through its elastic recovery force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical hollow structure provides inherent flexibility and elastic recovery capability. The curved geometry allows uniform distribution of stresses and enables the element to bend and return to its original shape, ensuring stable electrical contact over the tolerance range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the shield element is designed with complex fastening features, then mechanical stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening features are integrated directly into the shield element itself rather than being separate components. The inwardly projecting fastening elements are formed as part of the same blank material, combining the shield and fastening functions into a single manufactured part

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield element is designed with distinct functional zones: the hollow cylindrical body for shielding, the inwardly projecting fastening elements for mechanical attachment, and the outwardly directed contact elements for electrical connection. This segmentation of functions within a single part simplifies manufacturing while ensuring mechanical stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enhances mechanical flexibility and stability, ensuring a reliable electrical ground connection over a wide tolerance range, allowing for larger deviations in device dimensions without interrupting the ground connection, and provides effective shielding against interfering signals.

Implementation Method 1

an electrically conducting ground connection between the printed circuit board and a connector housing incorporated into the housing wall is to be guaranteed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The shield element is capable of being plugged onto the insulating body... allowing for increased tolerance range and providing a stable, elastic, and shielding connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11101603B2Printed circuit board connector with a shield element

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 HARTING ELECTRIC GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A shield element (1) of a printed circuit board connector enables maximum tolerance compensation between a printed circuit board (5), on which the printed circuit board connector is secured on the connection side, and a housing wall (4) of a device housing surrounding the printed circuit board (5). The shield element (1) is substantially hollow-cylindrical and can be fitted onto the insulating body (2) on the insertion side so as to also ensure a required connection to ground over the large desired tolerance range.