Terminal Connector With Integrated Shielding Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors lack a simpler and more compact design, often requiring separate housings and complex sealing mechanisms, which can lead to increased size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A terminal connector design featuring two sheet metal sleeves that serve as both the housing and shielding contact, with overlapping sections providing stability and a self-supporting structure, allowing for a more space-efficient and compact configuration, and utilizing seals in grooves for enhanced sealing and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a separate housing is used to provide stability and support, then the connector achieves required stability, but the overall size increases and the design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector stabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the housing function with the shielding contact by integrating the shielding contact directly into the connector housing structure. The shielding contact serves dual purposes: providing electromagnetic shielding and forming part of the structural housing, thereby eliminating the need for a separate housing component and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding contact is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic shielding, structural support, and housing functionality. This multi-functional design allows the connector to achieve required stability without adding separate housing components, thus reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a separate housing is used to provide stability and support, then the connector achieves required stability, but the external dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector stabilityVSAvoidexternal dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing and shielding contact are merged into a single integrated structure. This integration allows the connector to maintain stability while minimizing external dimensions, as the shielding contact itself forms the housing structure rather than requiring additional space for a separate housing component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional sealing mechanisms are used between the sleeve and housing, then effective sealing is achieved, but the design becomes more complex and requires additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sealing function from a separate sealing mechanism and integrates it directly into the shielding contact structure. The shielding contact includes integrated sealing elements that provide effective sealing between components without requiring additional separate sealing mechanisms, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Quantity of substance

If the conductor diameter is increased to improve current carrying capacity, then the electrical performance improves, but the external dimensions must increase to accommodate the larger conductor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor cross-sectionVSAvoidexternal dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the shielding contact as the housing structure allows for more efficient space utilization. The larger conductor can be accommodated within the compact integrated structure because the shielding contact-housing combination eliminates the need for additional housing space, enabling increased conductor diameter without proportionally increasing external dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2463959B1Connector
Publication Date: 2016.03.09 YAZAKI EUROPE LTD
  • EP2463959B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2463959B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2463959B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The terminal connector (1) has a sleeve (10) and a shield contact (11) through which the shielded cable (2) is extended in an axial direction (A). The shield contact is connected indirectly with the sleeve through connecting portion (12) at axial end (15). The shield contact is provided with a contact portion (13) at axial end (16).