Contoured Connector Receptacle With Side Ground Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to design connector receptacles that can fit within stylized electronic device enclosures with curved or non-orthogonal shapes, avoiding internal circuitry while providing adequate retention and being easy to assemble, as existing receptacles often consume space and are difficult to assemble due to their size and shape.
Innovation Solution
The connector receptacles are designed with a contoured or reduced size form factor to fit within curved enclosures, featuring a bottom opening for easier assembly, a latch piece for insertion resistance and retention, and a bracket for secure attachment, using materials like stainless steel or plastic, and may include additional features for waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If connector receptacles are designed with traditional size and shape, then they provide adequate structural support and retention, but they consume excessive space inside electronic devices and are difficult to assemble in stylized enclosures
Solution Approach 1:
The connector receptacle is divided into separate components: a housing, a latch piece, and a bracket. The housing contains contacts and provides structural support, while the latch piece (separate component) provides retention features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies assembly by enabling modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch piece is inserted into the housing through a rear opening, and the bracket is attached to both the housing and the device enclosure. This nested arrangement allows the retention and mounting functions to be integrated within the compact receptacle structure without increasing overall space consumption.
2Volume of moving object
If connector receptacles are contoured or reduced in size to fit stylized enclosures, then they save space and simplify assembly, but they may reduce retention capability and increase assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is separated into a dedicated latch piece that is distinct from the housing. This latch piece includes specific retention features (protrusions, hooks, or latches) that engage with corresponding features on the connector insert, ensuring reliable retention even in the contoured, space-reduced receptacle design.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle housing is contoured with curved surfaces to match the stylized enclosure geometry. This curvature allows the receptacle to fit into non-orthogonal spaces while the internal latch piece maintains its functional retention capability through properly positioned engagement features.
3Reliability
If connector receptacles include traditional retention features, then they prevent inadvertent removal of connector inserts, but they increase the size and complexity of the receptacle structure
Solution Approach 1:
The retention functionality is isolated into a separate latch piece component rather than being integrated into the housing structure. This latch piece can be a simple U-shaped or C-shaped component with retention protrusions, significantly reducing the complexity of the overall receptacle structure while maintaining effective retention.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding complex retention features to the housing, the design uses a simple latch piece that passively engages with the connector insert. The retention mechanism works by the natural engagement geometry rather than requiring active retention elements in the housing.
Data Source
AI summary
Connector receptacles having a contoured form factor that allows their use in stylized enclosures. These receptacles may also be contoured to avoid circuitry internal to the device enclosure. The contoured form factor may also simplify the assembly of the connector receptacle.