Shielded Electrical Connector Layout for Lower Mating Height
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors have a high overall height due to the placement of the shielding shell on the plug connector, which can be a limitation in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
The shielding shell is secured to the receptacle connector's insulative housing, forming an annular groove that connects with longitudinal grooves, allowing the plug connector's island to be received within a mating groove, thereby reducing the overall height by relocating the shielding functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the shielding shell is placed on the plug connector, then effective shielding is achieved, but the overall height increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the shielding shell on the plug connector as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the arrangement by placing the shielding shell on the receptacle connector. This inversion allows the shielding functionality to be maintained while reducing the overall height of the connector assembly, as the plug connector can be designed without the additional shielding shell height.
2Length of stationary object
If the shielding shell is relocated to reduce height, then compactness is improved, but shielding effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The plug connector's island structure is nested within the mating groove formed by the receptacle connector's side walls and the shielding shell's peripheral wall. This nesting arrangement allows the plug connector to be received within the receptacle connector in a space-efficient manner, maintaining compactness while the shielding shell continues to provide effective electromagnetic shielding around the contact interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes: an elongated insulative housing having a bottom wall, a pair of side walls along a lengthwise direction, and an island located between the pair of side walls to form two longitudinal grooves; a row of contacts secured to each of the pair of side walls and exposed to a corresponding groove; and a shielding shell having a base secured to the insulative housing and a peripheral wall surrounding the pair of side walls to form an annular groove.