Receptacle Connector Tongue Damage Detection on a Mounted Board
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Solution Overview
Problem
When excessive force is applied to a receptacle connector, the tongue portion can be damaged, disabling functions like charging and requiring replacement of the motherboard, which increases user costs.
Innovation Solution
A connector-board assembly with a receptacle connector featuring a tongue portion with first and second ground level conductors that are electrically conductive on the opening side, connected to a detection determining unit via a pull-up resistor, allowing for detection of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tongue portion is made robust to withstand excessive force, then the reliability of the connector is improved, but the cost of the motherboard increases and repairability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the ground level conductor into two separate conductors (first and second ground level conductors) within the tongue portion. This segmentation allows independent monitoring of each conductor's integrity through separate detection circuits, enabling precise identification of damage locations without requiring complete motherboard replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements preliminary damage detection by continuously monitoring the electrical continuity of the ground level conductors through detection circuits connected to the detection determining unit. This preliminary detection capability identifies tongue portion damage early, preventing further deterioration and avoiding unnecessary motherboard replacements.
2Reliability
If the tongue portion is made robust to withstand excessive force, then the reliability of the connector is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The detection determining unit performs multiple functions: it monitors the electrical continuity of both first and second ground level conductors, determines damage locations, and can trigger appropriate responses. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated detection circuits for each conductor, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable damage detection capability.
3Device complexity
If visual inspection is used to identify failure location, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of information increases due to inability to detect internal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces visual inspection (mechanical/optical method) with electrical continuity detection. The detection determining unit uses electrical measurements to identify damage locations within the tongue portion, providing accurate internal damage information that cannot be obtained through visual inspection alone, while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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
Enables the detection of damage to the receptacle connector, preventing unnecessary motherboard replacement and reducing user costs by allowing targeted repair of the receptacle connector.
Implementation Method 1
The first ground level conductor is connected to a signal input port of a detection determining unit in the board and connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor. The second ground level conductor is connected to the ground.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector-board assembly and an electronic apparatus detect damage to a receptacle connector. The connector-board assembly includes a receptacle connector and a board on which the receptacle connector is mounted. The receptacle connector has a tongue portion having electrodes at an approximately intermediate portion in a vertical direction of a plug insertion hollow portion. The tongue portion includes insulating layers provided above and below a metal plate and includes the electrodes on the surfaces of the insulating layers. The metal plate includes a first portion and a second portion which extend from a base end side toward an opening side and are electrically conductive to each other on the opening side. The first portion is connected to a signal input port on the board and connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor. The second portion is connected to the ground.