Connector With Movable Protective Member and Elastic Ground Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for handheld devices, such as cradles with spring terminals, are prone to deformation from finger or pen contact, and Pogo pin connectors are costly and susceptible to damage during attachment and detachment, while USB connectors face issues with durability.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a contact point exposed through a protective member that moves between positions, a base, and elastic ground contacts to secure and protect the contact point, reducing the risk of deformation and enhancing durability and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring terminal is made to significantly protrude from the connector surface to ensure electrical contact, then electrical coupling reliability is improved, but the terminal becomes susceptible to deformation from finger or pen contact
Solution Approach 1:
A protective member is introduced as an intermediary between the contact point and the external environment. This protective member covers the contact point when not in use, preventing direct contact with fingers or pens, while still allowing electrical connection to be established when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member is designed to be movable between a first position (covering the contact point) and a second position (exposing the contact point). This dynamic structure allows the system to switch between protection mode and connection mode, resolving the contradiction between protecting the terminal and ensuring electrical contact.
2Reliability
If Pogo pin connectors are used to improve connection reliability, then electrical coupling is enhanced, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple spring terminal structure instead of expensive Pogo pins. The spring terminal is a cost-effective alternative that can be easily manufactured while still providing reliable electrical connection, thus reducing manufacturing cost without sacrificing connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into functional components: a base, a protective member, and a spring terminal. This segmentation allows for simple manufacturing of each component using conventional processes, avoiding the need for complex Pogo pin structures while maintaining connection reliability.
3Ease of operation
If USB terminals are designed for direct insertion to simplify connection, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to damage during attachment and detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring terminal is pre-loaded with elastic force that cushions the impact during attachment. When the USB terminal is inserted, the spring absorbs the shock through elastic deformation, preventing damage to both the connector and the terminal, while still allowing easy insertion and detachment.
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 connector provides a low-cost, trouble-free solution with secure electrical contact and improved durability, preventing deformation and damage from external contact, and ensuring reliable grounding for high-speed transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic portion that pushes up the protective member and the first shell in an opposite direction to a pressing direction of the connecting terminal of the external device
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a contact having a contact point that is electrically coupled to a connecting terminal of an external device by pressing the connecting terminal onto the contact point, a protective member having an aperture for exposing the contact point from a surface of the side for pressing the external device and movable between a first position and a second position, a first shell covering the protective member with the aperture exposed, a base accommodating the contact and the protective member, and a ground contact having a first elastic portion that pushes up the protective member and the first shell, having a first held portion held by the base, and being grounded. The ground contact pushes up the protective member and the first shell with an elastic force of the first elastic portion. The contact point is positioned inside the protective member at the first position.