Space-Saving Metal Shell for Plug Connector Assembly
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable connector assemblies face challenges in achieving a secure latching mechanism without increasing the overall width, which is crucial for densely arranged dual-port receptacle connectors with limited space.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an upper and lower shell part with spring fingers and flaps that latch together, utilizing notches and inclined faces to secure the connection, while maintaining a narrow width through the placement of securing means within the PCB notches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure latching mechanism is implemented using overlapping side walls, then the latching reliability is improved, but the width of the metal shell increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism transitions from a horizontal overlapping configuration to a vertical configuration. The flaps extend upwardly from the lower shell part to engage with the upper shell part, utilizing the vertical dimension instead of horizontal overlap. This dimensional change allows the latching function to be achieved without increasing the width of the metal shell, thereby resolving the contradiction between latching reliability and shell width.
Solution Approach 2:
The flaps are nested within the vertical space between the lower and upper shell parts. The flaps extend upwardly from the lower shell part and latch into engagement with the upper shell part, effectively nesting the latching mechanism within the existing vertical envelope of the connector assembly. This nesting approach enables secure latching without requiring additional horizontal space.
2Area of stationary object
If the side walls are made narrower to reduce overall width, then the space utilization is improved, but the latching security is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism transitions from a horizontal overlapping configuration to a vertical configuration. The flaps extend upwardly from the lower shell part to engage with the upper shell part, utilizing the vertical dimension instead of horizontal overlap. This dimensional change allows the latching function to be achieved without increasing the width of the metal shell, thereby resolving the contradiction between latching reliability and shell width.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism utilizes the vertical dimension parameter (height) to achieve secure engagement, while keeping the horizontal parameter (width) constrained. By changing the orientation of the latching action from horizontal to vertical, the design maintains narrow width while ensuring adequate latching security through the upwardly extending flaps that engage with the upper shell part.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector assembly includes: a mating unit; a cable; a PCB interconnected between the mating unit and the cable; a metal shell enclosing the PCB, a rear of the mating unit, a front of the cable, the metal shell including an upper shell part and a lower shell part, each of the upper and lower shell parts having a main body and a pair of side walls; an insulative outer shell enclosing the metal shell, the rear of the mating unit, the front of the cable; wherein the pair of side walls of the upper shell part extend downwardly and those of the lower shell part extend upwardly to align with each other along an up-and-down direction; and each of the pair of side walls of the lower shell part includes a flap extending inwardly and upwardly to latch an associated side wall of the upper shell part.