Shielded Connector Cover Assembly for Easier Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector configurations, such as those described in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publications H06-196224 and H07-320816, have cumbersome mounting operations for shield and cover members, which complicates their installation, especially in applications like vehicle construction where they may be needed later rather than at the manufacturing stage.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing made of synthetic resin with a metal terminal, a metal shield member on its outer periphery, and a synthetic resin cover member that includes locking portions to secure the shield member, allowing it to be handled as a single unit and facilitating easier mounting, while also providing a resiliently deformable housing locking mechanism to secure the cover unit to the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shield member and cover member are mounted separately in the connector manufacturing stage, then the connector can be produced with complete shielding and protection, but the mounting operation becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shield member and cover member into a single integrated assembly where the cover member is fitted over the shield member, forming a pre-assembled unit that is mounted as one component rather than separately, thereby simplifying the mounting operation while maintaining complete shielding and protection
Solution Approach 2:
The shield member and cover member are pre-assembled into a integrated unit during manufacturing, so that the mounting operation only requires installing the combined assembly as a single component, eliminating the need for separate mounting steps and reducing operational complexity
2Ease of operation
If the shield member is exposed without a cover member, then the mounting operation is simpler, but stains and fingerprints are easily attached to the outer surface
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is fitted over the shield member to form an integrated assembly, providing protection against stains and fingerprints while maintaining a simple mounting operation since the combined unit is installed as one component
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member acts as an intermediary protective layer between the external environment and the shield member, preventing direct contact with stains and fingerprints while allowing the shield member to maintain its shielding function
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shield member and cover member are mounted separately, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall mounting process becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The shield member and cover member are combined into a pre-assembled integrated unit, allowing both components to be optimized independently during design while being mounted together as one component, thereby maintaining design flexibility and improving mounting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The shield member and cover member are pre-assembled into an integrated unit during manufacturing, enabling independent optimization of each component's design while reducing the mounting process to a single installation step, thus improving productivity without sacrificing adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A connector 10 includes a housing 11 made of synthetic resin, a terminal 12 made of metal to be accommodated into the housing 11, a shield member 14 made of metal to be arranged on an outer periphery of the housing 11, and a cover member 15 made of synthetic resin for covering the shield member 14. The cover member 15 includes shield member locking portions 42 for locking the shield member 14 with the shield member 14 restricted from being detached from the cover member 14.