Snap-Fit Connector Cover Structure for Lower Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors require a strong insertion force to attach the cover to the shell, which can lead to deformation or damage, particularly due to the inability of protruding pieces to withstand the applied load without bending or breaking.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design incorporates protruding pieces with a thick and thin portion, where the thin portion enhances elasticity, reducing the required insertion force while maintaining a strong holding force through a snap-fit engagement mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional snap-fit engagement mechanism is used to attach the cover to the shell, then the holding force is strong, but the insertion force required is too strong causing deformation or damage to the protruding pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding pieces are designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a thick portion and a thin portion. The thin portion has reduced thickness compared to the thick portion, creating a localized elastic deformation zone. This local quality variation allows the thin portion to flex during insertion while the thick portion maintains structural strength for holding force, thereby reducing the required insertion force without compromising the holding force.
2Device complexity
If the protruding pieces are made with uniform thickness, then the structure is simple, but the pieces cannot withstand the insertion load without bending or breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding pieces incorporate a thin portion with reduced thickness to create a localized elastic zone that can flex during insertion. This local quality variation enhances load withstanding capability by concentrating deformation in the thin portion while the thick portion maintains structural integrity, preventing bending or breaking without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
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 design reduces the insertion force needed to attach the cover to the shell while ensuring a secure hold, preventing deformation and damage, and stabilizing high-frequency signal transmission characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
each of the pair of protruding pieces of the cover has a thick portion and a thin portion whose thickness is thinner than a thickness of the thick portion
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector contains a receptacle assembly, a shell for holding the receptacle assembly, and a cover attached to the shell. The shell includes a body portion for holding the receptacle assembly and a pair of engagement recesses respectively formed on a pair of wall portions of the body portion. The cover includes a body portion, a pair of protruding pieces extending from the body portion toward a base side, and engagement protrusions respectively extending from the pair of protruding pieces toward an inner side. Each of the protruding pieces of the cover has a thick portion and a thin portion having a thickness thinner than a thickness of the thick portion.