Universal Base Electrical Connector Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The varying geometries of electrical connector housings lead to inconsistent electrical performance, increased complexity, and higher fabrication costs due to differences in impedance, noise, and signal degradation at mounting interfaces.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector system with interchangeable bases and shrouds, where the base is common to both receptacle and header connectors, ensuring uniform contact openings and mounting interfaces that facilitate consistent electrical performance and simplified fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different geometries are used for connector housings to accommodate different electrical components, then adaptability is improved, but electrical performance consistency deteriorates due to varying impedance, noise, and signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a common base housing design that can accommodate different electrical components and connector types. The standardized base provides consistent contact openings and mounting interfaces across different connector configurations, ensuring uniform electrical performance while adapting to various component requirements through modular additions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different geometries are used for connector housings, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple housing designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by implementing a universal base housing that serves multiple connector types. Instead of designing unique housings for each connector variant, the standardized base can accommodate different electrical components through configurable contact openings and mounting interfaces, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the housing into a common base portion and component-specific adapter portions. This modular approach allows the base to remain simple and standardized while accommodating different connector geometries through interchangeable or configurable elements, reducing the complexity of the fundamental housing design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different geometries are used for connector housings, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to multiple fabrication processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing costs by enabling production of a single standardized base housing design that can be mass-produced using consistent fabrication processes. The universal base accommodates different connector types through configurable features, eliminating the need for multiple specialized housing production lines and associated tooling costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different geometries are used for connector housings, then adaptability is improved, but mounting interface consistency deteriorates leading to increased noise and signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures mounting interface consistency by implementing standardized mounting features on the common base housing. All connectors mounted on the same base inherit identical positioning tolerances, mounting hole patterns, and interface geometries, thereby ensuring uniform electrical performance and signal integrity across different connector types while maintaining adaptability through configurable contact openings.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical connector system (10) includes a header connector (14) that includes a header housing (24) and a header contact. The header housing (24) includes a header base (26) and a header shroud (30) extending from the header base (26). The header base (26) includes a header contact opening. The header contact is held by the header base (26) within the header contact opening. The system (10) also includes a receptacle connector (12) configured to mate with the header connector (14). The receptacle connector (12) includes a receptacle housing (22) and a receptacle contact that engages the header contact when the header and receptacle connectors (14, 12) are mated together. The receptacle housing (22) includes a receptacle base (26) and a receptacle shroud (28) extending from the receptacle base (26). The receptacle base (26) includes a receptacle contact opening. The receptacle contact is held by the receptacle base (26) within the receptacle contact opening. The receptacle contact opening has a common size and shape to the header contact opening.