Shield Terminal Rattle Suppression in Connector Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional shield connectors, long female shield terminals can rattle when connected, hindering the mating process due to their cantilevered design, which prevents stable opposition between terminals.
Innovation Solution
A connector structure featuring a first housing with a rattling suppressing portion that contacts an exposed fitting portion from a cut portion of the second outer conductor, combined with a locking lance for retention, to stabilize the first shield terminal and prevent rattling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the female shield terminal is made long to extend through the housing, then the electrical connection length is increased, but the terminal becomes prone to rattling and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The shield terminal is divided into multiple sections: a front end portion that extends forward, a middle portion that fits into the housing cavity, and a rear end portion that is locked by the locking lance. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function while maintaining overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lance is pre-positioned in the housing and the locking projection is pre-formed on the shield terminal. When the terminal is inserted, the locking lance automatically engages with the locking projection, performing the stabilizing action before any rattling or misalignment can occur.
2Reliability
If the locking lance is used to secure the shield terminal, then the terminal retention is improved, but the terminal may still rattle if the length is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The solution combines two retention mechanisms: the locking lance that secures the rear end of the terminal, and the housing cavity that accommodates and supports the middle portion of the terminal. This merging of retention methods ensures both secure attachment and stability along the entire length of the terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the terminal have different functional requirements. The front end portion is designed to extend forward for connection, the middle portion is designed to fit into the housing cavity for support, and the rear end portion is designed to be locked by the locking lance. Each portion's local structure is optimized for its specific function.
3Ease of operation
If the shield terminal is disposed cantilevered forward from the rear end, then the connection geometry is achieved, but the terminal easily rattles during connection
Solution Approach 1:
The housing cavity acts as an intermediary structure that supports the middle portion of the shield terminal. This intermediary support prevents the terminal from rattling during the connection operation, while still allowing the front end to extend forward for proper geometric alignment with the mating connector.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector structure includes a first housing, a first shield terminal to be accommodated into the first housing, a second housing connectable to the first housing, and a second shield terminal to be accommodated into the second housing. The first shield terminal includes first inner conductors and a first outer conductor. The second shield terminal includes second inner conductors and a second outer conductor. The first outer conductor includes a first fitting portion and a first non-fitting portion. The second outer conductor includes a second fitting portion and a cut portion. The first housing includes rattling suppressing portions for suppressing rattling of the first shield terminal by coming into contact with an exposed portion of the first fitting portion exposed from the cut portion and a locking lance for retaining the first shield terminal by being locked to a lance locking portion provided on the first non-fitting portion.