Cable Connector Luminous Element Vertical Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable connector assemblies with light-emitting elements suffer from poor illumination due to the light source being directly mounted on the circuit board, which is obstructed by the housing, resulting in inadequate lighting for connection facilitation.
Innovation Solution
A cable connector assembly design featuring a second circuit board vertically fixed on a metal shell with a luminous element, such as a light-emitting diode, positioned on its front side and electrically connected to the first circuit board, with a translucent cover allowing direct light emission to illuminate the mating area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the light source is disposed directly on the circuit board behind the device connector, then the device structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the illumination intensity is reduced due to partial blocking by the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the light source from a horizontal arrangement (behind the connector) to a vertical arrangement (on the front side of the second circuit board). This dimensional change allows light to emit forward through the translucent cover without being blocked by the housing, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and illumination effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a translucent cover as an intermediary component that facilitates light transmission. The cover is specifically designed with light-transmitting properties to ensure that light from the vertically positioned source can effectively illuminate the mating area, while the housing structure remains intact for protection
2Device complexity
If the light source is positioned behind the device connector on the circuit board, then the device complexity is reduced, but the visibility for connection facilitation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is moved from the horizontal plane (behind connector) to the vertical plane (front side of second circuit board), changing the light emission direction to face forward. This dimensional repositioning improves visibility without significantly increasing device complexity, as it utilizes the existing circuit board structure in a different orientation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the cover translucent specifically in the areas where light transmission is needed. This localized property enhancement ensures that light from the vertically positioned source effectively reaches the mating area, improving visibility without requiring the entire housing to be translucent
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 configuration enhances the illumination effect by ensuring that the light emitted by the luminous element passes through a translucent portion, providing improved visibility and ease of connection for users.
Implementation Method 1
a luminous element disposed on a front side of the second circuit board and electrically connected to the first circuit board
Implementation Method 2
a translucent portion defined on a front end of the cover to pass the light emitted by the luminous element
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector assembly (100) comprises: a first connector (10) having a main body (120), a number of contacts (121) retained in the main body, a first circuit board (130) electrically connected to the contacts, and a metal shell (110) enclosing the first circuit board; a cable (30) electrically connected between the first circuit board and a power source to provide a power to the first circuit board; a second circuit board (150) vertically fixed on the metal shell; a cover enclosing the first and the second circuit board; a luminous element (152) disposed on a front side of the second circuit board and electrically connected to the first circuit board; and a translucent portion (1610) defined on a front end of the cover to pass light emitted by the luminous element.