Shielded Connector Assembly With Cable Protection and Socket Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors lack effective support structures for upper and lower connectors, and cable installation is laborious and prone to damage due to sharp edges on metal fixing covers.

Innovation Solution

A connector assembly with a shielding cover and socket connector featuring a compartment frame with support structures between socket housings, bolts for grounding, and wire organizers made of insulating material to protect cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If wire passing holes are formed directly in the metal fixing cover by stamping, then the fixing cover structure is simple, but the cable edges are sharp and easily scratch or break cables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing cover structure simplicityVSAvoidcable damage from sharp edges
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wire organizer as an intermediary component between the metal fixing cover and the cables. The wire organizer has rounded wire passing holes that guide cables smoothly, preventing the sharp edges of stamped holes in the metal cover from直接接触 and damaging the cables. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural simplicity while eliminating harmful sharp edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the cable guiding function into two separate components: the metal fixing cover provides structural support and grounding, while the wire organizer provides smooth cable guidance. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromise - the cover remains simple to manufacture while the wire organizer protects cables from damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If cables pass through wire passing holes one by one individually, then cable routing is achieved, but operation is laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing capabilityVSAvoidassembly time for cable installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wire organizer is pre-assembled with multiple wire passing holes and cable management features before cable installation. Cables can be routed through multiple holes simultaneously or in sequence with reduced friction and guidance, eliminating the need for repeated individual routing operations. This preliminary preparation of the wire organizer structure significantly reduces assembly time and labor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple cable routing functions into a single wire organizer component that handles multiple cables simultaneously. Instead of routing each cable through separate operations, the wire organizer provides integrated cable management for all cables, merging multiple routing operations into one efficient process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If a support structure is added between socket housings, then support strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport between socket housingsVSAvoidconnector assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is merged with the compartment frame to form an integrated component. The compartment frame serves dual functions: it provides the structural framework for the connector assembly and simultaneously acts as the support structure between socket housings. This merging eliminates the need for separate support components, maintaining strength while avoiding additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compartment frame is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the structural enclosure for the connector assembly and as the support structure between socket housings. This universal component performs multiple functions simultaneously, providing necessary support strength without increasing device complexity through additional specialized parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12580342B2Connector assembly
Publication Date: 2026.03.17 MOLEX INC
  • US12580342B2 patent drawing
  • US12580342B2 patent drawing
  • US12580342B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A connector assembly includes a shielding cover and a socket connector. The shielding cover includes a cover body, a compartment frame disposed at the cover body, and two insertion channels jointly defined by the cover body and the compartment frame and separated by the compartment frame in an up-down direction. The socket connector is disposed at a rear segment of the shielding cover, and includes two socket housings arranged in the up-down direction and respectively disposed at the two insertion channels, and a plurality of socket terminals. The compartment frame has a support structure located at a rear segment and providing support between the two socket housings. The support structure includes an upper support plate, a lower support plate, and a support block disposed between the upper support plate and the lower support plate.