Connector Receptacle Shell Ground Contact Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector receptacles face challenges in assembly simplicity, maintaining signal quality, avoiding marring, and fitting within device enclosures, particularly as they handle increased data rates and large volumes.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a subassembly with insert-molded contacts, a hollow tongue for protection, strategically placed ground contacts, and a shell with a partial top piece for mechanical support and aesthetic fit, along with insulating pieces to isolate ground noise, facilitating easy assembly and robust signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If connector receptacles use traditional assembly methods with multiple separate components, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but assembly complexity increases and manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (receptacle body, contacts, ground contacts, and shell) into a single integrated molded component. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for attaching contacts and ground contacts to the receptacle body, thereby reducing assembly complexity and increasing manufacturing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated receptacle component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, electrical connectivity through contacts, grounding through ground contacts, and structural protection through the shell. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall assembly process.
2Reliability
If connector receptacles use traditional grounding methods with separate ground contacts, then grounding flexibility is maintained, but signal quality degradation occurs due to poor ground paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates ground contacts directly into the receptacle body as a unified structure. This merging ensures continuous and reliable ground paths from the contact points to the shell, improving signal quality by eliminating gaps or poor connections that would occur with separate ground contact components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated receptacle structure acts as an intermediary that ensures optimal electrical contact between the ground contacts, signal contacts, and shell. This unified structure mediates the electrical connections to maintain signal integrity and prevent ground loops or impedance mismatches.
3Ease of manufacture
If connector receptacles use sharp-edged contacts for electrical connection, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but marring of connector inserts occurs during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different parts of the contacts: the bulk structure maintains sharp edges for manufacturing simplicity, while the contact surfaces are rounded or smoothed to prevent marring of the connector insert during insertion. This local differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between manufacturing ease and damage prevention.
4Strength
If connector receptacles use full enclosure shells for protection, then mechanical support is maximized, but fit within device enclosure becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shell into a main body portion that provides mechanical support and a separate partial top piece that can be configured to fit within device enclosures. This segmentation allows the receptacle to maintain structural strength while adapting to space constraints in the final assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a partial top piece that extends in a specific dimension to provide the necessary mechanical support and grounding functionality, while keeping the overall volume compact. This dimensional approach allows the receptacle to fit within tight enclosure spaces while maintaining full functionality.
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 simplifies assembly, maintains signal quality through effective grounding, prevents marring, and ensures a secure fit within device enclosures, enhancing compatibility with various interfaces like USB and HDMI.
Implementation Method 1
The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert-molded in a subassembly housing
Implementation Method 2
The hollow tongue may protect portions of the first and second numbers of contacts
Implementation Method 3
ground contacts may be located on a tongue of the connector receptacle... provide a good ground path
Implementation Method 4
insulating pieces to isolate ground noise
Data Source
AI summary
Connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide a good ground contact path, avoid marring of both inserts and receptacles, and can be arranged to fit in a device enclosure. These receptacles may include a subassembly that is inserted into a hollow tongue. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert molded in a housing, as well as a second number of contacts. The tongue may further include ground contacts on its sides and top. The tongue may cover edges of at least some contacts to prevent marring of both the connector receptacle and connector insert. The shell of the connector receptacle may be formed around a portion of the connector receptacle to assist in fitting the receptacle in a device enclosure.