Seamless Shield Connector Structure for Lower Radiation Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors suffer from radiation noise issues due to seam or breakage in the distal end surface, outer circumferential surface, and inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion, which affects the electrical connection and noise propagation between terminals.

Innovation Solution

The connector design features a seamless tubular portion with a distal end surface, outer circumferential surface, and inner circumferential surface, along with an outer shield and inner shield configuration that reduces noise radiation and improves alignment accuracy by eliminating seams and breaks, and includes a housing with a tubular peripheral wall and shield protrusions for enhanced electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seams or breaks are present in the distal end surface, outer circumferential surface, and inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion, then manufacturing is easier and device complexity is reduced, but radiation noise increases and electrical connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidshield structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distal end surface, outer circumferential surface, and inner circumferential surface are formed as a single seamless structure without joints or breaks. This merging of surfaces eliminates gaps that would cause noise radiation, directly improving electrical connection reliability while maintaining shield effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of assembling multiple shield components that join to form the tubular portion, the invention inverts the approach by forming a single integrated shield structure. This eliminates the seams and breaks that would otherwise be present at joints, thereby reducing radiation noise and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If seams or breaks are present in the shield surfaces, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but radiation noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation noiseVSAvoidshield manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shield structure integrates the distal end surface, outer circumferential surface, and inner circumferential surface into a single continuous piece without seams or breaks. This merging eliminates the harmful radiation noise that would occur at joint interfaces, directly addressing the noise reduction goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the structural parameter of the shield from a multi-component assembled structure to a single seamless structure. This parameter change eliminates the presence of seams and breaks, thereby reducing radiation noise while the seamless formation process maintains manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If protrusions are added to the outer peripheral wall of the shield for engagement, then connection reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector engagement reliabilityVSAvoidshield structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire shield structure complex, the invention applies local quality by adding protrusions only at specific engagement locations on the outer peripheral wall. These localized features provide reliable mechanical engagement without requiring complexity throughout the entire shield structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shield structure is segmented into functional zones: the seamless tubular portion for noise reduction and the protruding engagement portions for mechanical connection. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function without unnecessarily increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11777259B2Electrical connector with protrusions on the outer peripheral wall of the shield and device using the same

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A connector includes a housing, an outer shield including a tubular portion, and a terminal surrounded by the tubular portion of the outer shield. The connector is connected to a mating connector by moving toward the mating connector in a predetermined direction relatively with respect to the mating connector. A first end of the tubular portion of the outer shield is located in the predetermined direction in the tubular portion. The tubular portion of the outer shield has an inner circumferential surface facing a hollow space, an outer circumferential surface opposite to the inner circumferential surface, and a distal end surface provided at the first end. At least one of the distal end surface, the outer circumferential surface, and the inner circumferential surface is seamless over an entire circumference of the tubular portion surrounding the hollow space along a circumferential direction of the tubular portion.