Signal Module Shielding via Injection Molding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-speed electrical connectors suffer from signal module deformation during assembly due to unstable shield module structures, which affects production efficiency and stability.

Innovation Solution

The signal module is enhanced by forming an insulator on both the contact and shield piece through injection moulding, ensuring accurate positioning and stability, with bulge structures on ground connection contacts for secure electrical contact, and a simplified injection moulding process that encapsulates the shield piece on the contact insulator part.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If shield pieces are clamped on the insulator in a clamping manner, then the assembly process is simplified, but the degree of stability is low and the structure is easily deformed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidsignal module stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the shield piece and insulator into a single integrated structure through injection molding. The insulator encapsulates the shield piece, creating a unified component that eliminates the need for separate clamping operations while significantly enhancing structural stability and preventing deformation during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield piece is nested within the insulator structure. The insulator is molded to encapsulate the shield piece, with the shield piece positioned inside the insulator's cavity. This nesting arrangement provides inherent stability and eliminates the need for external clamping mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If all contacts are located and put in the same injection mould in a matching manner, then the production efficiency of contact modules is greatly increased, but the support fixture in the injection mould becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidsupport fixture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contacts are pre-assembled on the front base plate in the desired configuration before the injection molding process. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex support fixtures during molding, as the contacts are already positioned correctly and can be encapsulated directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The front base plate serves as a self-positioning structure that holds the contacts in their correct locations. The base plate's design inherently provides the necessary positioning, eliminating the need for additional complex support fixtures in the injection mold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 approach stabilizes the signal module, prevents deformation, ensures accurate positioning, and maintains good electrical connections, thereby improving the assembly efficiency and reliability of high-speed electrical connectors.

Implementation Method 1

The insulator is formed on the contact and the shield piece by means of injection moulding, and thus, the degree of stability of the signal module is enhanced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInjection moulding:

Implementation Method 2

the ground connection contacts are electrically contacted with the shield piece by the corresponding bulge structures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical contact: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3407430B1High-speed electrical connector, signal module thereof and method for forming signal module
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 CHINA AVIATION OPTICAL ELECTRICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP3407430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3407430B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A high-speed electrical connector, comprising a signal module (1). The signal module comprises a contact (11). At least one side of the contact is provided with a shield piece (12). The signal module further comprises an insulator (13). The insulator is formed on the contact and the shield piece by means of injection moulding so as to combine the contact and the shield piece together. The insulator of the signal module of the electrical connector is encapsulated on the contact and the shield piece by means of injection moulding. Thus, the degree of stability of the signal module is enhanced, and the problem that a signal module of an existing high-speed electrical connector is easily deformed is solved.