Shielded Cable Connector With Interposing Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shielded cables in vehicles face challenges in maintaining shielding performance due to difficulties in structurally integrating metal shield shells within metal outer housings, leading to reduced electrical and mechanical connections.

Innovation Solution

A shield connection structure featuring a conductive interposing member, a conductive inner shell, a conductive annular outer shell, and a retainer made of synthetic resin, which electrically connects the electromagnetic shield member to both the inner and outer shells, while the retainer holds the inner shell in contact with the outer shell, simplifying the structural requirements and maintaining the shielding performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the outer housing is made of metal, then the shielding performance can be improved, but the structural complexity for holding the shield shell increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding performanceVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a retainer made of synthetic resin as an intermediary component between the metal outer housing and the metal shield shell. This retainer simplifies the structural integration by providing a dedicated mounting mechanism that eliminates the need for complex direct metal-to-metal integration structures, while maintaining both shielding performance and ease of assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a complicated structure is used for holding the shield shell in the outer housing, then the mechanical connection can be improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical connectionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connector into distinct functional components: the outer housing, the shield shell, and the retainer. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with optimized processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while ensuring strong mechanical connections through dedicated interface designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the contact state between the outer housing and shield shell cannot be maintained, then the structural simplicity can be preserved, but the shielding performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidshielding performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer is designed to pre-position and secure the shield shell against the outer housing before final assembly completion. This preliminary action ensures that the contact state is established and maintained throughout the product lifecycle, preserving both structural simplicity and shielding performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively suppresses the reduction in shielding performance by ensuring stable electrical connections and simplifying the structural integration, reducing the complexity of holding the shield shell within the outer housing.

Implementation Method 1

the interposing member contacts the electromagnetic shield member exposed from the insulation coating and the inner shell and electrically connects the electromagnetic shield member and the inner shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the inner shell contacts the interposing member and the outer shell and electrically connects the interposing member and the outer shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

the retainer holds the inner shell with the inner shell held in contact with an inner surface of the outer shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11682866B2Electrical connector with a conductive interposing member to be mounted on a shielded cable

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A shield connection structure includes a shielded cable 20, a conductive interposing members 40 to be mounted on the shielded cable 20, a conductive inner shell 50 for covering the interposing member 40, a conductive annular outer shell 60 for covering the inner shell 50, and a retainer 80 made of synthetic resin and to be mounted in the outer shell 60. The interposing member 40 contacts an electromagnetic shield member 23 exposed from an insulation coating 24 and the inner shell 50 and electrically connects the electromagnetic shield member 23 and the inner shell 50. The inner shell 50 contacts the interposing member 40 and the outer shell 60 and electrically connects the interposing member 40 and the outer shell 60. The retainer 80 holds the inner shell 50 with the inner shell 50 held in contact with an inner surface of the outer shell 60.