Shielded Connector Anti-Twist Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shielded connectors for automotive vehicles experience increased electrical resistance due to peeling of plating at contact portions when cables are twisted, leading to instability in the connection between the shielding shell and braided wires.
Innovation Solution
A shielded connector design featuring a connector housing with an integrated shielding shell, tubular connecting means, and locking mechanisms that prevent the connecting means from turning, ensuring stable contact by using crimping rings and radially projecting ribs that engage with recessed portions to secure the connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the shielding shell and braided wire merely touch via springy contact portions, then the assembly is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electrical resistance increases due to plating peeling when the cable is twisted
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means is divided into a tubular body and a separate locking member. The tubular body provides the basic connection function, while the locking member with protrusions engages with recesses in the shielding shell to prevent rotation and plating peeling, thus resolving the contradiction between simple assembly and reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is pre-formed with protrusions that align with recesses in the shielding shell before final assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the cable is twisted, the locking mechanism is already in place to prevent plating peeling, maintaining both assembly simplicity and connection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the connecting means can rotate about its axis, then the assembly process is easier, but abrasion occurs at the contact portion between the connecting means and shielding shell
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means is segmented into a rotatable tubular body and a non-rotatable locking member with protrusions. The locking member prevents rotation at the critical contact portion with the shielding shell, eliminating abrasion while the tubular body can still be easily assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member acts as an intermediary between the tubular body and the shielding shell. It transfers the anti-rotation function from the tubular body to the shielding shell interface, preventing abrasion at the contact portion while maintaining ease of assembly.
3Reliability
If locking means are added to prevent turning of the connecting means, then abrasion and plating peeling are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented as a separate locking member with simple protrusions that engage with recesses in the shielding shell. This segmentation adds minimal complexity while effectively preventing rotation and plating peeling, maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component with basic geometric protrusions rather than complex mechanical locks. This simple locking mechanism provides sufficient reliability without significantly increasing device complexity or manufacturing cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to prevent abrasion at contact portions between a shielding shell and a shell connecting member. A shielding shell 18 is integrated into a connector housing 5 by insert molding, whereas a shell connecting member 22 that can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the shielding shell 18 is mounted on an end of a braided wire 2 of a shielded cable 1 by crimping a crimping ring 23. Further, a cover 17 is mounted on the rear end of the connector housing 5 to retain the shell connecting member 22 and the like. As the crimping ring 23 is crimped, ribs 26 are formed to project and each of them is engageable with any one of turn preventing recesses 35 arranged at a plurality of positions along circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the cover 17. Thus, the shell connecting member 22 is prevented from turning, thereby causing no abrasion at contact portions with the shielding shell 18.