Shielding Shell Spring Tangs for Electrical Connector Contact Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors lack effective integration of spring tangs within the shielding shell for enhanced securement and protection of contacts within the insulative housing.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring a shielding shell with integral spring tangs extending laterally into the receiving space of an insulative housing, providing secure contact retention and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate spring pieces are used inside the shielding shell, then the contacts can be retained, but the device complexity increases and securement reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact retention reliabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring tangs are integrated directly into the shielding shell as a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate spring pieces. This merging of the shielding shell and spring retention mechanism reduces the number of components while improving contact retention reliability through the cantilevered spring action built into the shell itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If integral spring tangs are integrated into the shielding shell, then manufacturing complexity reduces, but the spring retention force may be insufficient without proper design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector manufacturing easeVSAvoidspring retention force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring tangs are designed with cantilevered geometry that allows them to flex and provide dynamic retention force. This dynamic design enables the integrated tangs to exert sufficient spring force on the contacts while maintaining ease of manufacture through the integral structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring retention force is optimized by adjusting geometric parameters of the cantilevered tangs, including their length, thickness, and curvature, allowing the integrated structure to provide adequate retention force without requiring additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances securement and protection of contacts by utilizing cantilevered spring tangs within the shielding shell, ensuring reliable connectivity and durability.

Implementation Method 1

each of the spring tang extending laterally in a cantilevered manner into the receiving space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCantilevered spring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10297957B2Electrical connector having a shielding shell with laterally extending spring tangs

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LTD

AI summary

An electrical connector includes: an insulative housing having a central receiving space; two rows of contacts secured to the housing and exposed inwardly to the receiving space; and a shielding shell enclosing the insulative housing, the shielding shell having a respective pair of spring tangs at each of two opposite walls thereof, each of the spring tang extending laterally in a cantilevered manner into the receiving space.