Shield Support With Spring Contacts For Defined Electrical Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plug connections for shield supports are complex to handle and have an undefined electrical contact area, making them operator-dependent.

Innovation Solution

A shield support designed as a shield plate with a simple plug-in process and defined electrical contact, using cable ties for strain relief and incorporating spring contacts for secure and conductive contact with a housing, allowing integration of separate functions into a single plug.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shield supports are connected via screws to a conductive element, then electrical contact is achieved, but handling becomes complex and electrical contact area becomes undefined and operator-dependent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contactVSAvoidhandling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shield support is designed with a resilient section that can elastically deform during insertion. This dynamic element allows the shield support to automatically adjust and make contact with the conductive element through breakthrough during the plugging process, eliminating the need for complex screw connections while ensuring reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient section of the shield support serves itself by automatically making electrical contact with the conductive element through breakthrough during insertion. The elastic deformation of the resilient section inherently creates the electrical connection without requiring additional fastening operations or operator intervention, simplifying handling while maintaining reliable contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If shield supports are connected via screws to a conductive element, then electrical contact is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contactVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield support incorporates a resilient section that elastically deforms during insertion to automatically make contact with the conductive element through breakthrough. This dynamic design replaces complex screw connections and multiple fastening components with a single elastic element that achieves both mechanical support and electrical contact functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient section combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical support for the shield support, enables electrical contact with the conductive element, and facilitates simple insertion handling. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate screw connections and reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a simple plug-in process is used, then ease of operation improves, but defined electrical contact between shield support and wall becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplug-in processVSAvoidelectrical contact definition
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient section is designed to elastically deform during the plug-in process, automatically adjusting to make reliable contact with the conductive element through breakthrough. This dynamic adaptation ensures that even with simple insertion motions, a well-defined electrical contact area is achieved through the elastic deformation of the resilient section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient section changes its physical state from a relaxed position to a deformed position during insertion, altering its geometry and contact area parameters. This parameter change through elastic deformation ensures a defined electrical contact area is created automatically during the simple plug-in process, without requiring precise manual adjustment.

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

Simplifies handling, ensures defined and operation-independent electrical contact, and integrates multiple functions into a single plug, enhancing usability and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of spring contacts (16) which press resiliently on a contact surface (17) to contact the wall (13) in an electrically conductive manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2107648B1Connector with a shielding-screen support
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 WEIDMULLER INTERFACE GMBH & CO
  • EP2107648B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2107648B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2107648B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The connector i.e. printed circuit board connector (1), has a housing (10) with a shield support (4). The shield support is designed for contacting a conductive element i.e. conductive wall (13), of a housing in an area of a corresponding connector (15) designed as a pin part. One or more spring contacts protrude from a primary extension plane of the shield support. The spring contacts are designed to contact a section (17) of the conductive element to be contacted in the area of the connector (15). The shield support is designed as a shroud made of a conductive metal. An independent claim is also included for a connection assembly comprising a connector.