Flexible Shield Transfer Element for Rectangular Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dimensionally unstable shield transfer elements struggle to maintain contact on linear sections of rectangular connectors, leading to sagging and failure in connecting pairs, especially when the linear sections are long, resulting in poor shielding and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, resilient shield transfer element is designed with a lamellar strip structure featuring S-shaped or wavy metal sections and a grid of fastening openings, allowing for form-fitting contact with the connector housing and providing lateral support through press-in elements, ensuring a strong connection despite mechanical stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a shield transfer element is designed as a flexible spring element for round plug-in sections, then it can be attached via the round plug-in sections, but it rests in a non-positive manner on the circumference and sags on linear sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment easeVSAvoidcontact reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shield transfer element is divided into multiple resilient fingers that are connected to a common base. Each finger can independently contact the connector housing, providing distributed support points along the linear plug-in section. This segmentation prevents sagging by creating multiple contact zones rather than relying on a single continuous element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient fingers act as intermediaries between the shield transfer element and the connector housing. These fingers provide a mechanical bridge that ensures positive contact while accommodating dimensional variations. The fingers transmit and distribute mechanical stresses, preventing direct transmission of sagging forces to the shield contact points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the linear plug-in sections are made longer to accommodate rectangular connector designs, then rectangular connector compatibility is achieved, but the shield transfer element sags more strongly and may fail to contact the outer contour

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector shape compatibilityVSAvoidcontact position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The shield transfer element incorporates resilient fingers with elastic properties that allow dynamic adaptation to the connector housing geometry. The fingers can deflect and conform to variations in the linear plug-in section dimensions, maintaining reliable contact regardless of the specific connector size or manufacturing tolerances. This dynamic capability enables the same element to work across different rectangular connector configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a non-dimensionally stable shield transfer element is used to accommodate manufacturing variations, then adaptability is improved, but positioning and contact reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional variation toleranceVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shield transfer element utilizes changes in the physical state of the resilient finger material through temperature and stress. The elastic properties of the material allow the fingers to deform and adapt to dimensional variations in the connector housing. By exploiting the stress-strain relationship of the elastic material, the element maintains contact pressure and positioning accuracy despite variations in connector dimensions.

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

The flexible shield transfer element maintains contact with the connector housing, preventing sagging and ensuring a reliable connection, even under high mechanical stress, by aligning fastening openings with corresponding holes in the connector, thus overcoming the limitations of non-positive fits and dimensional instability.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible, resilient element from a large number of partial elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

fastening elements are attached to the fastening openings of the shield transfer element in such a way that the fastening elements can be pressed into the openings in the connector housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2586106B9Screened plug connector
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 AMPHENOL TUCHEL ELECTRONICS
  • EP2586106B9 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2586106B9 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a plug connector (1) comprising a screen (20) and a plug connector housing (2) having a plug section (3) for insertion and connection to a corresponding mating plug section into a corresponding mating plug housing, wherein at least one linear plug section area (30) is provided on the plug section (3), and a screen junction element (4) for making electrical contact with the screen (20) is provided in the area of the plug section (3), wherein the screen junction element (4) is attached to the plug connector housing (2) by means of an attachment element (7) at at least one position on the linear plug section area (30).