L-Shaped Connector Device for In-Vehicle Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional micro-USB connectors in mobile devices often cause a cord to protrude upward, obstructing the operator's view and applying mechanical stress due to the 180-degree bend required for in-vehicle charging, leading to torque and stress on the connector and socket.

Innovation Solution

A connector device with two legs connected via a transverse portion, routing electrical signals in the same direction, allowing the cable to extend downward without a 180-degree bend, and transferring forces to the device's body to reduce stress on the connector and socket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional micro-USB plug is used with a top-mounted socket, then the connector can be easily inserted, but the cord protrudes upward obscuring the operator's field of view and applies mechanical stress due to 180-degree bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidfield of view obstruction and mechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional connector configuration by making the cable and connector extend in the same direction rather than opposite directions. This inversion eliminates the 180-degree bend requirement, allowing the cable to extend downward from a top-mounted socket without protruding upward and obstructing the operator's view, while also eliminating the associated mechanical stress and torque on the connector components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cable extends downward to a lower power socket, then in-vehicle charging is enabled, but a 180-degree bend is required creating torque on the connector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-vehicle charging capabilityVSAvoidconnector durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reconfiguring the connector so that the cable and connector extend in the same direction. This allows the cable to extend downward from the top-mounted socket to reach lower power sockets in vehicles, enabling in-vehicle charging capability while eliminating the 180-degree bend that would otherwise create damaging torque on the connector components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cable is routed to extend downward without 180-degree bend, then field of view is preserved and stress is reduced, but the connector structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view obstruction and mechanical stressVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the apparent complexity by inverting the connector configuration to extend in the same direction. This actually simplifies the structure by eliminating the 180-degree bend requirement, reducing mechanical stress on components, and improving cable routing efficiency, thereby achieving both simpler structure and reduced harmful factors simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9160822B2Connector device

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A device includes a first leg including a first connector. The first connector includes multiple electrical contacts. The device includes a second leg substantially parallel to the first leg and configured with a connector, a set of conductors, or both. The device includes a transverse portion connected to the first leg and to the second leg. Together, the transverse portion and the first and second legs form a substantially rigid or semi-rigid body. The transverse portion includes multiple conductors electrically coupling respective connectors on the first and second legs.