Shield Connector Resilient Piece Deformation Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shield connectors deform excessively when terminal fittings with shield cables are inserted off-center or obliquely, leading to plastic deformation of resilient pieces.

Innovation Solution

The shield connector design includes resilient pieces with projecting touching portions that contact restricting portions within the connector housing, preventing excessive deformation by ensuring proper alignment during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the resilient piece is designed to resiliently sandwich the connection portion of the shield cable, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the resilient piece becomes susceptible to excessive deformation and plastic deformation when terminal fittings are inserted off-center or obliquely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidresilient piece deformation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient piece is divided into functionally distinct segments: a contact portion for electrical connection and a touching portion for mechanical guidance. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The touching portion acts as an intermediary element between the terminal fitting and the connection portion. It mediates the interaction by providing early contact and guidance during insertion, preventing harmful forces from reaching the connection portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the resilient piece extends backward from the shield shell to contact the connection portion, then electrical conductivity is ensured, but the resilient piece is vulnerable to plastic deformation during misaligned insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidinsertion alignment tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The touching portion makes preliminary contact with the terminal fitting before the connection portion engages with the shield cable. This preliminary action establishes proper alignment and guides the insertion process, preventing misalignment damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The touching portion provides preliminary anti-action by opposing and distributing insertion forces before they can reach the connection portion. This prevents excessive deformation during off-center or oblique insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Strength

If the resilient piece is made more robust to prevent deformation, then deformation resistance improves, but the ease of manufacture and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation resistanceVSAvoidresilient piece structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touching portion and contact portion are merged into a single integrated resilient piece that can be formed in one manufacturing process. This combining maintains structural simplicity while achieving multiple functions through clever geometric design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient piece utilizes parameter changes in its geometry, particularly varying thickness and flexibility characteristics along its length. The touching portion can be designed with different dimensional parameters to optimize its guidance function while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design effectively prevents plastic deformation of resilient pieces, ensuring reliable electrical conductivity and secure connection of shield cables to the shield shell, even when terminal fittings are inserted incorrectly.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of resilient pieces for resiliently sandwiching a connection portion provided at an end portion of a shield braided wire of a shield cable are formed at an end portion of the shield shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2346120B1Shield connector and production method thereof
Publication Date: 2014.07.30 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD
  • EP2346120B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2346120B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2346120B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a shield connector capable of preventing plastic deformation of a resilient piece. A shield connector is provided with terminal fittings 10 having shield cables 11 connected thereto, a connector housing 20, into which the terminal fittings 10 are to be mounted, a shield shell 40 to be accommodated into the connector housing 20, and resilient pieces 45 each including a contact portion 47 which is provided on the shield shell 40 and comes into contact with a connection portion 19B of the shield cable 11. Each resilient piece 45 includes projecting pieces 49 for preventing the resilient piece 45 from being excessively deformed by coming into contact with restricting portions 38 provided in the connector housing 20.