Receptacle Connector Shielding for Latch Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacle connectors lack full electrical and mechanical shielding due to exposed long side plates, compromising both electrical shielding and mechanical reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle connector design featuring an insulative housing with an outer metallic shield and an inner metallic shield that divides the receiving space into primary and secondary areas, accommodating the latch mechanism and preventing improper electrical connections, while ensuring complete shielding and reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If only three sides of the housing are covered by the shield, then the latching mechanism can be received, but electrical shielding and mechanical reinforcement are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is divided into an outer shield and an inner shield that work together. The outer shield provides the primary enclosure, while the inner shield extends to cover the previously exposed long side, creating a segmented but complete shielding system that maintains both latching functionality and electrical shielding integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner shield is nested within the outer shield structure, with the inner shield's long side extending portion positioned inside the outer shield's receiving space. This nested arrangement allows the latching mechanism to be received while ensuring complete electrical shielding through the combined coverage of both shields.
2Reliability
If the shield completely surrounds the housing, then electrical shielding is improved, but the latching mechanism cannot be received
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding system is segmented into outer and inner shields with distinct functional zones. The outer shield has a receiving space that accommodates the latching mechanism, while the inner shield provides the continuous electrical shielding, allowing both functions to coexist through spatial segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-plane shielding approach to a multi-dimensional arrangement where the inner shield's extending portion creates a three-dimensional shielding configuration that covers the long side while leaving access paths for the latching mechanism through the outer shield's receiving space.
3Strength
If the shield is fully intimate, then mechanical reinforcement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shield and inner shield are merged into a coordinated shielding system where the inner shield is attached to the housing and extends to cover the long side, while the outer shield provides the primary structural enclosure. This merging of multiple shield elements creates enhanced mechanical reinforcement without requiring a single overly complex shield design.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement of inner and outer shields allows each component to maintain relative simplicity while contributing to overall structural strength. The inner shield is nested within the outer shield's receiving space, creating a layered reinforcement system that is stronger than either shield alone but avoids the complexity of a monolithic design.
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle connector for mating with a plug connector having a mating tongue and a latch thereof, includes an insulative housing defining a mating slot extending along a longitudinal direction to receive the mating tongue of the plug connector, and an outer metallic shield defining a primary space to receive the housing and a secondary space communicatively beside the primary space to receive the latch of the plug connector. A plurality of contacts are disposed in the housing to mechanically and electrically connect to the mating tongue. An inner metallic shield is attached upon a long side of the housing to separate the primary space and the secondary space from each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.