Electronics Jack Contact Sequencing to Prevent Premature Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronics jacks allow signal grounding prior to proper connection, leading to signal dropouts and excess current draw, causing disruption and audio distortion, particularly in applications like modular synthesizers.
Innovation Solution
A jack design with a movable jack sleeve contact and a dog mechanism that ensures electrical connection between the plug sleeve and tip contacts only when fully inserted, preventing premature grounding through the use of insulators and a dog to facilitate this process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug is inserted into the jack, then electrical connection is established, but the signal conductor contacts the ground conductor prematurely causing signal grounding
Solution Approach 1:
The jack sleeve contact is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be pushed by the dog mechanism during insertion. This dynamic design ensures the sleeve contact only establishes electrical connection after the tip contact has been properly engaged, preventing premature signal grounding while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The dog mechanism serves as an intermediary between the plug tip and the jack sleeve contact. It is engaged by the tip contact and translates this engagement into movement that closes the gap of the sleeve contact, ensuring proper sequencing of electrical connections and preventing the harmful effect of premature signal grounding.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the jack sleeve contact is made movable to prevent premature grounding, then signal grounding is avoided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dog mechanism is integrated as part of the jack tip contact structure, merging the function of contact engagement with the function of actuating the movable sleeve contact. This consolidation adds minimal complexity while effectively preventing signal grounding through the coordinated movement of combined components.
Data Source
AI summary
A jack for receiving a plug to make an electrical connection, the plug having a plug sleeve contact and a plug tip contact separated by a plug insulator, the jack having a jack sleeve contact forming a gap with the plug sleeve contact when the plug is not fully inserted into the jack, a jack tip contact configured to create an electrical connection with a plug tip contact when the plug is fully inserted into the jack, and a dog that imparts movement to the jack sleeve contact when the plug is inserted into the jack, the dog acting on the jack sleeve contact to complete an electrical connection with plug sleeve contact. This provides that the plug tip is electrically protected from completing an electrical connection with the jack sleeve contact prior to full insertion of the plug into the jack.