Shielded Connector Assembly Without Cage Openings for EMI Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric power connectors in electric or hybrid motor vehicles suffer from reduced shielding performance due to openings that compromise electromagnetic interference reduction, despite the use of shielding cages.

Innovation Solution

A connector assembly design featuring a shielding cage with deformation-based attachment means and a retaining device that immobilizes the internal and external casing elements, eliminating the need for openings and ensuring continuous shielding contact between the connector and counter-connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If openings are provided in the shielding cage to attach casing elements, then the ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but the electromagnetic shielding performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding cage is divided into two separable half-cages that can be assembled around the internal casing element without requiring openings in the final shielding structure. This segmentation allows for easy assembly while maintaining continuous shielding when the half-cages are joined together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The internal casing element is inserted into the shielding cage assembly, and the external casing element is then nested over the internal casing element. This nested arrangement allows all components to be assembled in sequence without requiring openings in the shielding cage, maintaining electromagnetic shielding integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the internal casing element is firmly attached to the shielding cage, then the structural stability is improved, but the shielding continuity deteriorates due to required openings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidshielding continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device uses elastic deformation of the internal casing element to create a dynamic locking mechanism. The internal casing element is elastically deformed during assembly to engage with the shielding cage, providing firm attachment without requiring openings in the shielding structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The internal casing element is designed with flexible portions that can elastically deform to engage with the shielding cage. This flexibility allows the internal casing element to be firmly attached to the shielding cage while maintaining the continuity of the shielding cage without openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP4054021B1Shielded connector assembly
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP4054021B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4054021B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4054021B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Connection assembly comprising a connector and a counter-connector. The shielding cage (120) of the connector has attachment means (152, 154) which are formed by deformation of the shielding cage (120), without an opening being created. The attachment means (152, 154) are configured to prevent the internal element (112) of the connecting casing from moving in translation with respect to the shielding cage (120), parallel to the coupling direction (A). The shielding cage (120) is prevented from moving in translation parallel to the coupling direction (A) with respect to the external casing element (114) with the aid of the retaining device (124).