Shield Connector with Asymmetric Interlock and Segmented Metal Shell

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shield connector devices with braids are prone to damage from vibrations, and existing solutions require interlocking portions on both connectors for safe detachment, which complicates the design and may lead to shielding gaps or leakage.

Innovation Solution

A shield connector device with divided metal shield shells and service covers, where one connector has an interlocking portion to ensure safe detachment and shielding without the need for interlocking on both connectors, allowing for relative movement and reliable shielding without gaps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If braids are used as shield cover to ensure movability between connectors, then movability is improved, but the shield member becomes weaker and prone to damage from vibration or impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovability between connectorsVSAvoidstrength of shield member
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the shield member from flexible braids to rigid metal plates, fundamentally altering the physical state from soft to hard material to resolve the contradiction between movability and strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The shield shell is divided into multiple sections that can move relative to each other, allowing the rigid metal structure to maintain both strength and flexibility for connector movability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If interlocking portion is provided on both shield connectors to ensure safe detachment, then safety of detachment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of detachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of connector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by providing the interlocking portion only on one shield connector (first connector) while the other connector (second connector) has a corresponding groove, eliminating the need for symmetric interlocking structures on both sides while maintaining safe detachment functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing active interlocking portions on both connectors, the patent inverts the approach by providing an interlocking portion on one connector that engages with a passive groove on the other connector, achieving the same safety function with reduced complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If shield shell is divided into two sections to enable relative movement, then movability is improved, but shielding continuity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelative movement between shield sectionsVSAvoidshielding characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by having one shield shell section partially overlap and cover the other section, creating a nested configuration that maintains continuous shielding while allowing relative movement between the divided sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2798708B1Shield connector device
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP2798708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2798708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2798708B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A shield connector is provided capable of reducing the number of components and assembly processes while ensuring shielding characteristics and movability. First and second connectors 10 and 20 respectively including terminals 16 and 26, connector housings 11 and 21 having operation opening portions 12 and 22 for connecting the terminals, and service covers 13 and 23 covering the opening portions, electric wires 40 connecting both the connectors, and a shield shell 50 shielding both the connectors and the electric wires are included. The shield shell is divided into a first shield shell 51 fixed to the first connector and second shield shells 52 and 53 fixed to the second connector, and the peripheral edges of the shield shells overlap each other while enabling relative movement between the first shield shell and the second shield shell. The service cover of the first connector has an interlocking portion 15.