Cable Connector Spacer With T-Shaped Separator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB cable connector assemblies, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,695,318, lack effective positive restraint for the tail portions of contacts, which can lead to instability and potential issues with high-speed signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
A cable connector assembly with a T-shaped separator disposed between neighboring grooves in a spacer, which securely restrains the tail portions of contacts, ensuring stability and proper alignment for high-speed signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the tail portions of contacts are simply received in grooves without positive restraint, then the assembly process is simple, but the stability and alignment of contacts are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is segmented into multiple functional regions: grooves for receiving tail portions and T-shaped separators for positive restraint. This segmentation allows the spacer to perform multiple functions (reception and restraint) while maintaining structural clarity and manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The T-shaped separator acts as an intermediary element between neighboring grooves, providing the necessary restraint force to prevent contact warping while maintaining the overall simplicity of the spacer structure. The separator is a simple geometric feature that can be integrated into the spacer molding process
2Manufacturing precision
If no restraint structure is provided for tail portions, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the contacts may warp and misalign
Solution Approach 1:
The T-shaped separator is pre-formed as part of the spacer structure before assembly. This preliminary formation of the restraint structure ensures that contacts are immediately restrained upon insertion into the grooves, preventing warping during assembly and ensuring precise positioning without requiring additional manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The T-shaped separator changes the geometric parameters of the spacer structure by adding vertical walls that extend into the grooves. This geometric parameter change provides the necessary mechanical restraint while maintaining compatibility with standard molding processes
3Reliability
If the spacer structure is simplified without separators, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of high-speed signal transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The T-shaped separator provides localized restraint quality at critical positions between neighboring grooves. This local enhancement of structural quality ensures reliable contact positioning and prevents warping in specific areas where it would most affect signal transmission, without requiring a complete redesign of the entire spacer structure
Solution Approach 2:
The T-shaped separator adds a vertical dimension to the restraint mechanism by extending walls upward from the groove bottom. This dimensional addition provides effective restraint against lateral movement and warping while maintaining a compact overall structure that does not significantly increase device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector assembly includes an insulative housing (1) defining a cavity (1150), a number of contacts (2,3) retained in the insulative housing, a cable (6) electrically connected with the contacts, a spacer (4) assembled to the back end of the insulative housing, and a metallic shell (5) enclosing the insulative housing. The contacts comprise a number of first and second contacts each having a contacting portion and a tail portion, the tail portions extending beyond a back end of the insulative housing. The spacer has a plurality of grooves (42,43) for receiving tail portions of the contacts and a separator disposed between every two neighboring grooves. The separator is T-shaped in order to restrain the contact tail portion.