Audio Jack Connector Multi-Directional Griping Contacts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio jack connectors experience poor signal transmission and unstable connections due to the audio plug connector deviating from its intended position, leading to interrupted or poor contact between the jack and plug.
Innovation Solution
The audio jack connector design includes an insulative housing with signal contacts extending perpendicular to the mating direction and griping contacts with multiple contacting portions, including elastic and rigid components, to securely retain the plug and maintain contact even if it deviates, using a combination of perpendicular and vertical retention mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If griping contacts have only two distal end parts extending from left and right sides, then the structure is simple, but the plug is not firmly retained and may deviate from the contacting bosses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to the griping contacts by extending at least one distal end part upwardly from the base portion, creating a three-point retention system. This dimensional expansion transforms the retention mechanism from a simple two-point lateral grip to a multi-dimensional constraint that prevents both lateral and vertical deviation of the plug connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The griping contacts are segmented into multiple functional portions: base portions providing structural support, lateral distal end parts for left-right retention, and upwardly extending distal end parts for vertical retention. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific retention function independently, improving overall reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Device complexity
If signal contacts are arranged at left and right sides of the receiving space, then the griping contacts can be symmetrically positioned, but signal transmission may be interrupted or poor contact may result when the plug deviates
Solution Approach 1:
The signal contacts are extended in the left-and-right direction perpendicular to the mating direction, creating a longer contact path that spans across the receiving space. This dimensional extension ensures that even if the plug deviates vertically or laterally, the signal contacts maintain continuous electrical connection with the corresponding terminals on the plug connector.
Solution Approach 2:
While maintaining overall symmetry for structural balance, the signal contacts are designed with asymmetric extension patterns - extending horizontally perpendicular to the mating direction rather than vertically. This asymmetric orientation optimizes the contact geometry for maintaining signal transmission stability under plug deviation conditions while preserving the symmetric arrangement of griping contacts for structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio jack connector (100) includes an insulative housing (2) defining a receiving space (20), a number of signal contacts (31, 32) retained in the insulative housing, and a pair of griping contacts (33) retained in the insulative housing too. The signal contacts have a number of first contacting portions (311, 321) extending into the receiving space from a left-and-right direction perpendicular to a mating direction along which an audio plug connector is inserted into the receiving space. The gripping contacts have at least three second contacting portions (332, 333/3331) extending into the receiving space from a vertical direction perpendicular to both the left-and-right direction and the mating direction.