Flippable USB Connector with Diagonal Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors struggle to provide additional power for high-speed signaling while maintaining compatibility with standard USB connectors, often requiring costly MUX components that degrade signal quality.
Innovation Solution
A flippable plug and receptacle connector design featuring diagonally symmetric contact arrangements and additional larger power contacts, with a metallic shield and EMI spring plates for enhanced power transmission and compatibility with standard USB interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a MUX (or SS switch) is built into the silicon to handle switching of super speed signaling, then the connector can support high-speed signaling, but it becomes costly and causes additional degradation in the super speed signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the MUX functionality from the silicon connector and relocates it to the cable assembly through a mechanical switch. This separation allows the connector to remain simple while still supporting super speed signaling through the cable-integrated switching mechanism that routes signals between different contact pairs based on insertion orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mechanical switch in the cable assembly as an intermediary component that performs the MUX function. This mechanical mediator switches between different contact pairs (inner vs outer contacts) based on the plug's insertion orientation, enabling super speed signaling without requiring complex integrated circuits in the connector itself.
2Power
If additional larger power contacts are added to provide more power, then power transmission capacity increases, but the connector structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested contact structure where outer power contacts surround the inner signal contacts. The outer housing contains both inner and outer contact pairs, with the outer contacts providing additional power transmission capacity while the inner contacts handle signaling. This nested arrangement increases power capacity without proportionally increasing overall connector complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design provides multi-functionality by enabling both standard USB connectivity and enhanced power delivery through the same physical structure. The outer contacts can serve as additional power paths or alternative signal paths depending on the plug orientation, allowing the connector to adapt to different power and signaling requirements without requiring separate dedicated structures.
3Ease of operation
If the connector is designed for dual orientation insertion (flippable), then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper contact alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric contact arrangements where inner and outer contact pairs are positioned at different orientations and depths. The inner contacts are arranged for standard USB orientation while outer contacts are positioned to engage when the plug is inserted in the alternative orientation. This asymmetric design enables dual-orientation functionality while maintaining manufacturable tolerances by using distinct contact zones rather than requiring perfect symmetry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional layer to the contact arrangement by utilizing both inner and outer contact pairs at different radial distances from the connector axis. This multi-dimensional contact geometry allows the connector to recognize and accommodate different insertion orientations through which dimension (inner vs outer contacts engage), reducing the precision burden on any single contact interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector is mateable with the receptacle connector wherein each of the plug connector and the receptacle connector includes an inner mating port surrounded by an outer mating port in a concentric manner. The inner mating port is equipped with two rows of contacts arranged in a diagonally symmetrical manner. The outer mating port is equipped with larger power contacts symmetrically arranged with a center of the inner mating port.