Bidirectional Cable Connector with Asymmetric Positioning Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable connectors are limited to unidirectional insertion, requiring cables to be bent and board connectors to be rotated, which complicates wiring and affects performance due to increased mating height and difficulty in cable extraction.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional blind plug cable connector design featuring a projecting portion, positioning posts, and a latch, allowing forward and reverse plugging without altering the board connector's direction, ensuring consistent pin arrangement and simplified wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the cable connector is placed in a fixed direction to maintain consistent PIN positions, then the wiring consistency is improved, but the adaptability for cables outgoing to two sides deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs asymmetric structural features including a projecting portion extending from the insulator body and positioning posts with specific geometric configurations. These asymmetric elements create inherent directional guidance that allows the connector to be inserted in either direction while maintaining proper PIN alignment, thereby achieving both wiring consistency and cable routing flexibility without requiring external orientation markers or rotation mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the board connector is rotated 180° to accommodate cable direction, then the cable routing flexibility is improved, but the PIN position consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates universal features that enable it to function correctly in multiple orientations. The projecting portion and positioning posts are configured to provide directional guidance and mechanical constraint that ensure proper PIN alignment regardless of whether the connector is inserted in the forward or reverse direction. This multi-functional design allows a single connector type to serve multiple cable routing configurations without compromising electrical connection accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cables are bent to achieve rightward outgoing direction, then the cable routing requirement is met, but the cable performance and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bending the cable to achieve the desired routing direction, the invention inverts the approach by designing the connector itself to provide directional guidance and mechanical constraint. The projecting portion and positioning posts are configured to guide the cable in the desired direction while maintaining proper electrical alignment, thereby achieving cable routing flexibility without subjecting the cable to harmful bends or increasing extraction difficulty.
4Device complexity
If multiple connectors are arranged in the same direction to maintain PIN consistency, then the wiring simplicity is improved, but the device complexity for accommodating bidirectional cables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional elements: an insulator body, a projecting portion for directional guidance, positioning posts for mechanical constraint, and electrical contacts for signal transmission. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, enabling the connector to maintain simple wiring through consistent PIN arrangement while simultaneously supporting bidirectional cable routing through the specialized projecting portion and positioning post configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector includes an insulator, an electrical connection portion, a cable and a latch, wherein the electrical connection portion is disposed in the insulator, and one end of the cable is electrically connected to the electrical connection portion; a front end of the insulator is provided with a projecting portion extending toward a bottom end of the insulator, the latch is disposed on the projecting portion, and a latch projection is disposed on a surface of the latch; a rear end of the insulator is provided with a first positioning post projecting toward the bottom end of the insulator; and the projecting portion and the first positioning post of the cable connector are respectively cooperated with a docking connector. The cable connector can implement forward and reverse plug of the cable connector; thereby facilitating wiring of the customer on the mainboard.