Shielded Board-to-Board Connector Shell for Corner Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional board-to-board connectors suffer from insufficient electromagnetic shielding due to gaps in their outer enclosures, leading to electromagnetic leakage, and are prone to damage during fitting and detachment.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a conductive shell with a seamless peripheral wall and armor portions at the corners to provide comprehensive shielding and protect against misalignment or tilting during mating, utilizing a single-ply metal plate structure for the shell and an insulating housing with recessed portions and step portions for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional conductive shell with outer wall portions and coupling portions is used, then the connector can be assembled with a simple press-fit process, but electromagnetic leakage occurs from missing portions at the corners leading to insufficient shielding effect
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is divided into four corner portions, each independently formed with folded structures that create continuous shielding walls. Each corner portion is segmented into outer wall portions and inner wall portions that work together to eliminate gaps while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner wall portions are nested within the outer wall portions, with the inner walls folded back inward to create layered shielding structures. This nesting eliminates gaps at the corners while maintaining the press-fit assembly process.
2Ease of manufacture
If the shell has outer wall portions and coupling portions formed by folding a metal plate, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the shielding effect is insufficient due to gaps at corners
Solution Approach 1:
The corner portions are formed with curved folded structures rather than sharp angles, creating continuous shielding walls that follow the contour of the insulator corners. This curvature eliminates gaps while maintaining the metal plate folding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding structure is extended into a third dimension by folding the metal plate to create inner wall portions that protrude inward. This adds depth to the shielding structure, blocking electromagnetic leakage paths that would exist in a two-dimensional flat configuration.
3Device complexity
If the shell is designed with outer wall portions positioned on opposing sides, then the connector structure is simplified, but damage occurs during fitting and detachment due to lack of corner protection
Solution Approach 1:
The armored corner portions are pre-formed with protruding structures that extend beyond the outer wall portions. These pre-formed protective elements are positioned to make contact with the mating connector before the main body, preventing misalignment and tilting during the fitting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The armored corner portions act as cushioning elements that absorb impact and prevent damage during fitting and detachment. These protective corners are positioned to provide mechanical cushioning against misalignment and tilting forces before they can affect the main connector body.
Data Source
AI summary
A housing having terminals held thereon is positioned within a shell in island form. The shell is formed of a single metal plate, and includes a peripheral wall surrounding the housing, bottom plates, a pair of first retaining pieces, and two pairs of second retaining pieces. The first retaining pieces respectively include raised portions to conform to side surfaces of the housing, extension portions positioned on upper surfaces of the housing, and press-fitting portions. The press-fitting portions are press-fit into holes formed in the upper surfaces. Each pair of the second retaining pieces are positioned on the opposite sides of the first retaining piece, and fitted in step portions which are at the opposite ends, in the width direction, of the side surfaces of the housing. The second retaining pieces protrude from the upper surfaces and, in the width direction, protrude from the housing.