Connector Terminal Layout for Signal Stability and Mold Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB 3.0 connectors, particularly T/H and SMT types, face interference issues due to the placement of power and grounding terminals between signal terminals, leading to instability in signal transmission, and the use of different molds for each type increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The power and grounding terminals are positioned outside the signal terminals, preventing interference and allowing for the use of a shared mold for both T/H and SMT types, with the terminals' soldering sections being selectively bent to accommodate either type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the power and grounding terminals are placed between the signal terminals, then the connector structure is compact, but the signal transmission stability deteriorates due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The power and grounding terminals are extracted from the interior arrangement between signal terminals and repositioned to the outermost positions. This separation removes the interfering elements from the signal transmission path, eliminating electromagnetic interference while maintaining structural compactness through optimized outer positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different molds are used for SMT and T/H type connectors, then the terminal configurations can be optimized for each type, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single mold is designed with universal functionality to produce terminals for both SMT and T/H connector types. The mold incorporates adjustable or interchangeable components that allow it to create different terminal configurations (flat Z-shaped for SMT, straight for T/H) using the same base tooling, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining type-specific optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal configuration parameters (such as bending shape and soldering section geometry) are changed after molding through post-processing steps like selective bending. This allows a single mold to produce base terminals that are then adapted to different connector types through controlled deformation, eliminating the need for separate molds while preserving type-specific performance characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector has an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals and a metal shell. Each terminal has a soldering section. The soldering sections of a power terminal and a grounding terminal are the outermost terminals and are located outside remaining terminals instead of being located respectively between the soldering sections of signal transmitting or receiving terminals. The outermost soldering sections of the power and grounding terminals prevent the interference with the signal transmitting and receiving terminals during signal transmission.