Plug Connector Housing with Separate Guide Elements for Optional Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems require separate housing constructions and injection molding tools for both shielded and unshielded configurations, leading to increased costs and complexity due to differences in housing designs.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector design featuring a housing with independently arranged guide elements for positioning and alignment, allowing for optional shielding plates, which enables reliable connection without restricting installation space for contacts and allows for both shielded and unshielded operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding plates are integrated into the housing to guide and position connectors, then shielding function is improved, but device complexity increases due to separate housing constructions for shielded and unshielded systems
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is designed to serve dual purposes: it provides mechanical guidance and positioning during connector mating, and simultaneously serves as the shielding structure when shielding plates are installed. This eliminates the need for separate housing designs for shielded and unshielded connectors, as the same housing with guide elements can accommodate both configurations depending on whether shielding plates are attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the previously separate functions of guide elements and shielding plates by integrating them into a unified structure. The guide elements are formed as integral parts of the housing that can either stand alone for positioning or serve as mounting structures for shielding plates, combining mechanical guidance and electromagnetic shielding functions into one integrated system.
2Reliability
If separate housing constructions are used for shielded and unshielded connectors, then specific functions are optimized, but manufacturing cost increases due to multiple injection molding tools
Solution Approach 1:
A single housing design with integrated guide elements serves both shielded and unshielded applications, eliminating the need for separate injection molding tools. The same housing can be used in both configurations, reducing tooling costs while maintaining reliable positioning through the guide elements regardless of whether shielding plates are installed.
3Manufacturing precision
If shielding plates are used for guidance and positioning, then positioning function is improved, but installation space for contacts is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into distinct functional zones: guide elements are positioned in specific locations to provide alignment, while contact installation areas are kept separate and unrestricted. This spatial segmentation allows guide elements to perform positioning without encroaching on the space needed for contact installation, maintaining both alignment precision and adequate installation space.
4Device complexity
If guide elements are integrated with shielding plates, then structure is simplified, but adaptability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are designed with dynamic adaptability, allowing the same structural element to function independently for guidance or to serve as a mounting base for shielding plates depending on the application requirements. This dynamic design enables the connector to adapt between shielded and unshielded configurations without requiring structural changes, maintaining both simplicity and versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a plug connector comprising a housing (8) and at least one contact (10) which is held on the housing (8) and which is designed to contact a contact (10) of another plug connector (6), wherein the housing (8) has at least one shaped element (12) for securing at least one shield plate (30, 32). The invention is characterized in that the housing (8) has at least one guide element (14, 16) which is designed to guide and position the plug connector (4) on another plug connector (6) in a form-fitting manner, said guide element (14, 16) being arranged at a distance from the shaped element (12).