Shield Plate Connector Spring Contact Without Protruding Latches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors with shield plates suffer from exposure to external mechanical influences due to protruding latching hooks and inability to deflect spring contact elements, which compromises their stability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a shield plate with spring contact elements and a fastening mechanism that allows for deflection without protruding beyond the connector housing, using recesses and web structures to secure the fastening elements within the housing, preventing tilting and exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latching hooks are used to connect shield plates to connector housing, then the shield plates can be securely fastened, but the latching hooks protrude beyond the connector housing and are exposed to external mechanical influences
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is nested within the recess of the connector housing, with the web providing internal support. This nesting configuration allows the shield plate to be securely fastened while keeping all fastening components contained within the housing boundaries, eliminating exposure to external mechanical influences.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism transitions from a protruding external structure to an internal recess-based structure. By utilizing the recess depth dimension and the web structure, the fastening element achieves secure attachment while remaining concealed within the housing, effectively moving the fastening action into another spatial dimension.
2Reliability
If depressions are provided in connector housing for latching connections, then shield plates can be attached, but the depressions prevent deflection of spring contact elements
Solution Approach 1:
The web is positioned locally within the recess to provide structural support for the fastening element, while the spring contact element maintains its deflection capability in the surrounding area. This localized support structure allows simultaneous achievement of secure attachment and spring element functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the recess with web for fastening, and the surrounding areas for spring contact element movement. This segmentation allows the fastening mechanism and spring deflection to occur in separate spatial zones without interfering with each other.
3Device complexity
If fastening elements are positioned in recesses without web support, then the structure is simpler, but the fastening elements may tilt or become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The web structure serves dual functions: it provides stability and anti-tilting support for the fastening element while simultaneously being integrated into the recess structure. This self-service approach maintains relative structural simplicity while achieving enhanced stability through the web's geometric configuration.
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 configuration enhances the stability and protection of the connector by allowing secure retention and deflection of spring contact elements while preventing exposure to external mechanical influences, thereby reducing the risk of damage and maintaining effective shielding.
Implementation Method 1
The spring contact element is deflectable in order to establish an electrical contact with the web
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a connector housing and a shield plate arranged on an inner side of the connector housing. The connector housing has a plug opening, a recess on a side of the plug opening, and a web on a side of the recess facing an interior of the connector. The shield plate has a spring contact element with a fastening element. The fastening element is positioned in the recess and does not protrude from the recess. The fastening element abuts against the web in a non-plugged state of the connector and is spaced from the web in a plugged state of the connector.