Hot-Pluggable Barrel Jack Connector for Safe Power and Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Barrel-jack connectors typically used for data communication in devices like phones and tablets are not designed to provide power while hot-plugging, which can lead to damage or power disruptions when inserted into powered devices.

Innovation Solution

A hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system with specific pin configurations, including a male barrel jack connector with isolated tip, ring, and sleeve contacts for ground, power, and data signals, and a female connector with spring terminals and a blocking diode to prevent short circuits, allowing safe power and data transfer even when the device is powered up.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a barrel jack connector is used for data communication only, then data transmission is achieved, but power delivery capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector functionalityVSAvoidpower delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The barrel jack connector is designed to perform multiple functions: it can transmit data signals through the ring contacts and deliver power through the sleeve contact. This multi-functional design allows a single connector type to replace both data-only and power-delivery connectors, resolving the contradiction between versatility and power capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a barrel jack connector is hot-plugged into a powered device, then ease of operation is improved, but short circuit damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehot-plugging capabilityVSAvoidshort circuit damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is segmented into electrically isolated contacts: the tip contact for ground reference, ring contacts for data signals, and the sleeve contact for power. This segmentation prevents short circuits during hot-plugging by ensuring that the power contact (sleeve) does not accidentally contact data contacts (rings) or ground (tip) during insertion, allowing safe hot-plugging operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulator material acts as an intermediary between the power-conducting sleeve contact and the data-conducting ring contacts. This intermediary prevents electrical short circuits by maintaining electrical isolation between power and data paths during the hot-plugging process, enabling safe operation without damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11100035B2Hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system for data communication and power

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 ERP POWER LLC

AI summary

A hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system includes a male barrel jack connector including a tip connector at a distal end of the male barrel jack connector and configured to conduct a ground reference voltage, a first ring connector electrically isolated from the tip connector by a first insulator, and configured to conduct a first data signal, and a sleeve connector adjacent to a base of the male barrel jack connector electrically isolated from the first ring connector, and configured to conduct a power signal.