Shielding Plate Engaging Arms Lock Terminal Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors with terminal modules and shielding plates lack secure locking mechanisms, leading to potential disconnection and instability during processing and use.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a terminal module with a first and second unit, each having a rear base and front tongue, locked together with a shielding plate and a shielding shell, where the shielding plate has engaging arms that grip the side portions of the first unit's junction, providing enhanced stability and security through over-molding and flexible arm engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a shielding plate is placed between terminal units, then electromagnetic shielding is improved, but structural stability and locking reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shielding plate with locking arms that integrate into the terminal units, merging the electromagnetic shielding function with the mechanical locking function into a single integrated component structure, thereby improving both shielding and locking reliability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding plate acts as an intermediary component between the first and second terminal units, providing both electromagnetic shielding and serving as a structural element for locking through its integrated arms that engage with the terminal units
2Device complexity
If terminal units are locked at rear base only, then assembly simplicity is maintained, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent locking points: rear base locking and front tongue locking, allowing the connection to be stabilized at multiple locations without significantly increasing overall assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds locking in the longitudinal dimension (front tongue) in addition to the rear base locking, transforming a single-point locking system into a multi-dimensional locking system that enhances stability without proportionally increasing complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If shielding plate lacks engaging arms, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but locking security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding plate incorporates flexible engaging arms that can elastically engage with the terminal units, providing secure locking through the flexibility and resilience of the arm structures while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging arms are designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing them to flex and adapt during assembly to ensure proper engagement and locking security without requiring complex manufacturing processes
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes: a terminal module including a first unit having a first row of contacts, a second unit having a second row of contacts, and a shielding plate between the first and second units, each of the first and second units including a rear base and a front tongue, the rear base of the first unit being locked to the rear base of the second unit; and a shielding shell enclosing the terminal module, wherein the shielding plate has a pair of engaging arms, and the first unit has at a junction between the base and the tongue thereof two side portions locked to the pair of engaging arms.