Flippable USB Type-C Plug Connector Asymmetric Soldering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB Type-C connectors lack a simple and cost-effective design that allows for easy assembly and efficient connection of cables, particularly in a plug-able direction that enhances usability and reduces manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A USB Type-C plug connector design featuring a connector body with diagonally symmetrical terminals and soldering legs arranged on one surface of a cable supporting platform, allowing for efficient welding and assembly, with a metallic latch for secure connection, and optional exposure of soldering legs for easy soldering and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If soldering legs are arranged on both surfaces of the cable supporting platform, then the connector can be connected in either direction, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging soldering legs only on one surface of the cable supporting platform while creating diagonal symmetry in the terminal layout. This asymmetric soldering leg arrangement combined with diagonal terminal symmetry enables bidirectional connection capability without requiring soldering legs on both surfaces, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-sided soldering leg arrangement to a one-sided arrangement by utilizing the spatial dimension of the connector body. The diagonal symmetry of terminals allows the connector to function bidirectionally even with soldering legs confined to one surface, effectively using dimensional arrangement to resolve the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If soldering legs are exposed on one surface only, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but assembly flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by creating an asymmetric design where soldering legs are exposed on only one surface, reducing manufacturing cost. The diagonal symmetry of the terminal arrangement compensates for this asymmetry, enabling the connector to maintain assembly flexibility and bidirectional capability without requiring soldering legs on both surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dimensional arrangement within the connector body to achieve bidirectional functionality with one-sided soldering leg exposure. By strategically positioning terminals and utilizing the three-dimensional space of the connector, the design maintains assembly flexibility while confining soldering operations to a single surface, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If diagonal symmetry is used for terminal arrangement, then bidirectional connection is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines diagonal symmetry in terminal arrangement with asymmetric soldering leg placement. This hybrid approach enables bidirectional connection capability while the asymmetric element provides manufacturing tolerance, reducing the overall precision requirements compared to pure symmetric designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the three-dimensional space of the connector body to accommodate diagonal terminal symmetry. By distributing terminals across multiple dimensions and planes within the connector, the design achieves bidirectional functionality while maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision tolerances through spatial arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector includes a connector body defining a front mating cavity with a first inner side and a second inner side opposite to the first inner side, and a rear cable supporting platform with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first inner side and a plurality of terminals. The terminals include two rows of contacting sections arranged along the first and second inner sides of the mating cavity and soldering legs extending to the platform to be welded to a cable. The soldering legs are arranged in one row and exposing to the first surface of the platform while the second surface of the platform has no soldering legs to be welded to the cable.