Electric Connector Assembly With Curved Contacts for Higher Charging Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

USB TYPE-C electrical connector assemblies have weak structural strength, limited contact area leading to easy damage, excessive temperature rise, and restricted charging current due to plane-to-plane contact, which affects charging performance.

Innovation Solution

The connector assembly features ground terminals with increased height and arc-shaped or wave-shaped structures on connection terminals to enhance structural strength, increase contact area, and improve heat conduction, allowing for larger charging currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If plane-to-plane contact is used between connection terminals, then the connector structure is simple, but the contact area is limited causing weak structural strength and easy damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector structureVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection terminals are designed with arc-shaped or wave-shaped contact surfaces instead of flat planes. This curvature increases the contact area between male and female connectors, distributing mechanical stress more effectively and enhancing structural strength while maintaining simple manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If plane-to-plane contact is used between connection terminals, then the connector structure is simple, but the contact area is limited leading to excessive temperature rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector structureVSAvoidtemperature rise
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The arc-shaped or wave-shaped contact surfaces increase the contact area between connection terminals, improving heat dissipation efficiency. The larger contact area allows for better thermal conduction and reduces localized temperature rise during charging operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If plane-to-plane contact is used between connection terminals, then the connector structure is simple, but the contact area is limited restricting charging current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector structureVSAvoidcharging current
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The increased contact area achieved through arc-shaped or wave-shaped terminals reduces electrical resistance at the contact interface. This allows for higher charging currents to be transmitted without excessive heat generation, improving charging performance while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The enhanced structure increases contact area and heat dissipation, enabling the assembly to withstand higher charging currents and reduce temperature rise, thereby improving charging performance.

Implementation Method 1

each ground terminal of the socket is a terminal structure with increased height... the heat conduction area is enlarged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

arc-shaped structures or wave structures of the ends between the connection terminals of the plug and the ground terminals of the socket, the contact areas with each other are increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface area increase through geometric shaping: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP4243217B1Electric connector assembly
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)
  • EP4243217B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4243217B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4243217B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric connector assembly (1) includes a socket (2) and a plug (3). The socket (2) has a first casing (20), a base (21) and a first pin assembly (22). The first pin assembly (22) has a plurality of ground terminals (221) and signal terminals (222). Each ground terminal (221) has a specific height (HI), and has a first coupling portion (221g) disposed on a first end (221a). The plug (3) has a second casing (30), a receiving base (31) and a second pin assembly (32). The second pin assembly (32) has a plurality of connecting terminals (321). Each connecting terminal (321) has a second coupling portion (321g) disposed on a second end (321c). When the plug (3) is coupling with the socket (2), the connecting terminals (321) of the plug (3) respectively clamp the ground terminals (221) and the signal terminals (222) of the socket (2), and the second coupling portions (321g) of the connecting terminals (321) are respectively engaged with the first coupling portions (221g) of the ground terminals (221) to increase contact areas.