Shielded Connector Cover Structure for Improved EMC Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The housing portion of conventional connectors with a rear opening affects the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) characteristics due to its design, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring an electrically conductive shield case with an insulating body and a separate conductive shield cover, where the shield case includes a tubular portion and extended portion with walls, and the shield cover covers exposed portions of the body to enhance EMC, utilizing elastic arms for stable electrical conduction and grounding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the housing portion is designed with a rear opening closed by a bent piece, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the EMC characteristics deteriorate due to the front opening remaining exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The shield case is divided into two separate components: the main shield case body and the shield cover. The shield case includes the tubular portion and extended portion with walls, while the shield cover is a separate plate component that covers the front opening. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with simple structures, yet when assembled together they provide complete electromagnetic shielding without requiring complex integrated designs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shield cover is added to cover the exposed portion, then the EMC characteristics improve, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding function for the front opening is extracted as a separate shield cover component rather than being integrated into the main shield case. This extracted component can be independently manufactured and then assembled to the shield case, providing complete EMC protection while keeping the manufacturing process simple and the assembly straightforward through snap-fit or other simple connection mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the elastic arms are used to ensure stable electrical conduction, then the grounding reliability improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic arms are designed with inherent flexibility to provide dynamic contact pressure between the shield cover and shield case. This elastic deformation capability allows the arms to automatically compensate for minor dimensional variations and assembly tolerances, ensuring stable electrical conduction and reliable grounding without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision. The elasticity absorbs dimensional variations while maintaining consistent contact force.
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 design significantly improves EMC characteristics by ensuring stable electrical conduction and grounding, while maintaining the structural integrity of the connector without requiring modifications to the shield case.
Implementation Method 1
The shield cover includes first elastic arms provided at the first cover portion. The first elastic arms are in elastic contact with the tubular portion, one of the walls, or the other wall of the shield case. The elastic contact of the first elastic arms with the tubular portion, one of the walls, or the other wall of the shield case brings the shield cover into a stable electrical conduction with the shield case.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The invention improves EMC characteristics of a connector. A connector C includes a shield case 100, a body 200 holding the terminal 300, and a shield cover 400. The shield case 100 includes a tubular portion 110 extending in the Y-Y' direction, and walls 130a and 130b being positioned on the Y'-direction side relative to the tubular portion 110, facing each other in the X-X' direction, and extending in the Z' direction. The body 200 includes a first portion 210 and a second portion 220. The first portion 210 extends in the Y-Y' direction, being disposed in the tubular portion 110, and includes a basal portion 212 positioned on the Y'-direction side relative to the tubular portion 110. The second portion 220 extends in the Z'-direction from the basal portion 212 and being disposed between the walls 130a and 130b. The basal portion 212 includes a first exposed portion 212b, which is exposed in the Z' direction between the walls 130a and 130b and covered at least partly from the Z'-direction side by the first cover portion 410 of the shield cover 400.