Shield Contact Ring for EMI-Resistant Electric Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

High electromagnetic disturbances in electrical power connectors of electric and hybrid motor vehicles due to high current transmission, which existing shielding solutions fail to address effectively and economically.

Innovation Solution

A shielding recovery ring that ensures electrical continuity between the cable shielding sheath and the connector housing using a single, integrally connected internal and external portion, optimized with elastic tabs for enhanced conductivity, and a radially extending insulating support for watertightness and secure mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple elements are used to ensure shielding continuity between cable shielding sheath and housing, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding continuityVSAvoidnumber of elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple shielding elements (internal shielding portion, external shielding portion, and connecting portion) into a single integrated shielding reinforcement ring. This single piece structure ensures continuous shielding between the cable shielding sheath and housing while reducing the number of separate components from three or more to one, thereby simplifying device complexity and manufacturing assembly steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple elements are used to ensure shielding continuity, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding continuityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding reinforcement ring is designed as a single integrated component that performs multiple shielding functions simultaneously. By merging the internal shielding portion, external shielding portion, and connecting portion into one piece, the assembly process requires installing only one component rather than multiple separate elements, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining continuous shielding effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding reinforcement ring is pre-formed as a complete integrated structure with all shielding portions and connecting features already in place. This preliminary preparation of the shielding component allows for direct installation without requiring sequential assembly of multiple parts, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If elastic tabs are added to optimize electrical conduction, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Elastic tabs are added only at specific critical locations within the shielding reinforcement ring where electrical contact with the cable shielding sheath and housing is required. These localized elastic tabs provide optimized electrical conduction at the interface points without requiring the entire shielding structure to be complex, thereby improving shielding effectiveness while minimizing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Simplifies manufacturing and assembly while significantly improving shielding effectiveness, ensuring reliable electromagnetic interference reduction and watertight sealing in harsh environments.

Implementation Method 1

At least one of the internal and external portions of the shielding recovery ring may include at least one elastic tab to optimize electrical conduction on the cable shielding sheath and/or on the shielding wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The shielding take-up ring then comprises an internal portion, located inside the sleeve and electrically connected to the cable shielding sheath, and an external portion located outside the sleeve, made of material with the internal portion, and electrically connected to the shielding wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3069413B1Electric connector with shield contact
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP3069413B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3069413B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric connector (100) with a shield contact. This connector (100) comprises a sleeve (120) with - a cavity designed to receive the end of at least one cable (400) provided with a first contact (122) and a shielding ferule (410), and - an outer surface (125). This connector also comprises a metal shield contact ring (600) having - at least one inner elastic tongue (606) extending toward the inside of the cavity to establish an electric contact with the ferule (410), and - at least one outer elastic tongue (608) extending toward the outside of the outer surface (125) to establish an electric contact with the shield of a counter-connector (300) or a housing incorporating a counter-connector (300) having a second contact (310) connected to the first contact (122), when the connector (100) and the counter-connector (300) are coupled.