Shielding Spring Contact for Easier EMI Connector Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in connector systems with shielding systems face complex production processes and require additional processing for safe electrical contact connections, particularly due to the need for hollow-cylindrical domes that are difficult to produce and integrate with shielding structures.
Innovation Solution
A shielding spring contact with a flat base and encircling shielding portion that projects through passage openings in both the assembly housing and shielding housing, providing a simple and effective means to divert shielding currents while ensuring electrical and mechanical connection, potentially produced through deep-drawing or punching processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hollow-cylindrical dome is used on the housing wall for shielding currents, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but production complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding function is segmented from the housing structure. Instead of integrating a complex hollow-cylindrical dome into the housing wall, the patent uses a separate shielding spring contact element that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the housing, simplifying both housing production and shielding element production
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding structure changes from a rigid hollow-cylindrical dome to a flexible spring contact with elastic properties. This parameter change in material behavior and structural form allows for simpler manufacturing processes while maintaining shielding effectiveness through elastic contact
2Reliability
If a hollow-cylindrical dome is used on the housing wall, then shielding currents can be diverted, but additional processing is required for electrical contact connection
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding spring contact is designed to automatically establish electrical connection through its elastic properties. When compressed between the housing and shielding housing, the spring's inherent elasticity self-generates the contact force, eliminating the need for additional processing steps to create mechanical engagement features
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding contact transitions from a static rigid dome structure to a dynamic elastic spring structure. This allows the contact to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations, maintaining reliable electrical connection without requiring precise processing or additional fastening operations
3Ease of manufacture
If a shielding spring contact is used instead of a hollow-cylindrical dome, then production is simplified, but mechanical connection reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding element changes from a rigid dome to an elastic spring contact, utilizing material elasticity as the key parameter. This elastic property ensures reliable mechanical connection through compressive force between the housing and shielding housing, compensating for tolerance variations and maintaining consistent electrical contact
Solution Approach 2:
The spring contact features a curved, rounded contact surface that distributes mechanical stress and maintains stable contact pressure. This curved geometry enhances mechanical connection reliability by preventing stress concentration and ensuring uniform force distribution across the contact interface
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
This solution simplifies the production of plug-in connector systems, enhances the reliability of electrical connections, and effectively shields against interfering currents, reducing production complexity and ensuring robust mechanical and electrical connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
shielding currents can be conducted to a housing wall of the housing
Implementation Method 2
the dome is intended to shield an electrical conductor arranged in the cutout and to divert shielding currents
Implementation Method 3
shielding spring contact includes a flat base portion and a shielding portion... The top side of the flat base portion bears against a bottom side of an assembly housing portion
Data Source
AI summary
A shielding spring contact includes a flat base portion having a top side and a cutout, and a shielding portion having a wall connected to the flat base portion and encircling the cutout. The wall has an outer side, an inner side, an upper side, and a lower side. The lower side of the wall is arranged on the top side of the flat base portion with the lower side of the wall laterally surrounding the cutout. The top side of the flat base portion bears against a bottom side of an assembly housing portion of a first plug-in connector and the shielding portion projects through a first passage opening in the assembly housing portion. The shielding portion projects through a second passage opening in a shielding housing wall and into a shielding housing of a second plug-in connector, bearing against the shielding housing wall.