Shield Connector Housing Structure to Prevent Terminal Rattling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The rattling of a shield terminal in a connector housing occurs due to dimensional tolerances, hindering connection with a mating connector.

Innovation Solution

A shield connector design featuring a housing with a tubular holding portion that surrounds and securely holds the outer peripheral part of the shield terminal's front end, preventing rattling and ensuring smooth insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If dimensional tolerances are applied in assembling the connector housing and electrical connection element, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the shield terminal rattles in the housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional toleranceVSAvoidshield terminal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A buffer member is introduced as an intermediary component between the shield terminal and the connector housing. This buffer member absorbs dimensional variations and tolerances, preventing direct contact and rattling while maintaining the electrical connection. The buffer member acts as a mediator that compensates for assembly variations without requiring tight tolerances on the main components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer member provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-installed in the connector housing to compensate for potential dimensional variations before the shield terminal is assembled. This prevents rattling and instability issues from occurring during operation, addressing the tolerance problem proactively rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the shield terminal is held firmly in the housing, then connection stability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member serves as a simple intermediary component that provides firm holding of the shield terminal without requiring complex housing structures. Instead of redesigning the entire housing with multiple locking mechanisms, the buffer member alone suffices to eliminate rattling and improve connection stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer member is designed as a flexible or elastic component that can deform to accommodate the shield terminal and provide holding force. This flexible approach achieves firm retention without rigid, complex mechanical structures, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12512627B2Shield connector

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD

AI summary

It is aimed to prevent the rattling of a shield terminal in a housing. A shield connector is provided with a shield terminal (20) configured such that an inner conductor (21) and a dielectric (23) are surrounded by an outer conductor (24), and a housing (10) for accommodating the shield terminal (20). The housing (10) includes a receptacle (16) for surrounding a front end part of the shield terminal (20) while being spaced apart therefrom. The housing (10) is formed with a tubular holding portion (18) for holding an outer peripheral part of the front end part of the shield terminal (20) in the receptacle (16).