Shield Connector Water Blocking Wall Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shield connectors with folded conductor connecting portions are prone to rust when exposed to water due to chipping of the plated layer at the bent portions, which can lead to deformation and failure in humid environments like engine rooms.
Innovation Solution
A shield connector design featuring a water-blocking wall with a reinforcing portion that covers the bent portion of the conductor connecting portion, preventing exposure to water and deformation, and a metal shell cover with integrated water-blocking wall for enhanced rigidity and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conductor connecting portion is folded to sandwich the braided wire, then the shield conductor can be electrically connected to the bracket, but the plated layer at the bent portion may be chipped away causing rust
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a housing and a cover body that can be assembled separately. The water blocking wall is integrated into the cover body, creating a segmented structure that allows the bent portion to be protected without compromising the electrical connection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The water blocking wall acts as an intermediary element between the bent portion and the external environment. It prevents water from reaching the bent portion while maintaining the electrical connectivity function, thus mediating between the need for connection and the need for protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a water blocking wall is added to cover the bent portion, then rust prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water blocking wall is merged with the cover body, integrating the protection function into an existing component rather than adding a separate element. This reduces overall device complexity while still providing the necessary water blocking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the water blocking wall for rust prevention, and maintains the electrical connection pathway. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Area of stationary object
If the water blocking wall is made long horizontally to cover the bent portion, then coverage is improved, but the wall may warp or deform
Solution Approach 1:
The water blocking wall is segmented by dividing the cover body into distinct sections. This segmentation creates smaller, more stable structural units that are less prone to warping while still providing adequate coverage of the bent portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover body is designed with varying local qualities - thicker or reinforced sections at critical areas prone to deformation, and thinner sections where coverage is needed but structural stress is lower. This localized variation in properties prevents warping while maintaining coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A device connector disclosed herein is a shield connector configured to be attached to a casing of a device installed in an engine room of a vehicle and including a metal shield bracket to which a flexible metal shield conductor is connected. The shield connector includes a housing fixed to the bracket, a shield connecting member, a cover, and a water blocking wall. The shield connecting member includes a conductor connecting portion that is a bendable metal plate. The conductor connecting portion is bent to sandwich an upper end portion of the shield conductor and screwed to the shield bracket to electrically connect the shield conductor to the shield bracket. The cover includes a shell cover that covers the housing. The water blocking wall is in a lower end portion of the shell cover to cover left, right, and rear sides of a bent portion of the conductor connecting portion.