Micro-USB Connector Assembly with Segmented Power Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Micro-USB connectors are inefficient for power charging due to limited current draw, resulting in long charge times for portable devices.
Innovation Solution
A Micro-USB connector assembly with an insulative body and metal shield, featuring power contact grooves and increased contact widths, along with convex portions for secure fitting, to facilitate faster power transfer and prevent incorrect connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional Micro-USB connectors are used, then the connector size remains small and portable, but the power charging speed is slow due to limited current draw
Solution Approach 1:
The power contact is divided into multiple contact inserting portions (first, second, third, and fourth contact inserting portions) arranged in parallel within the insulative body. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute to current conduction independently, collectively achieving higher current draw capability (up to 2.5A) while maintaining the compact Micro-USB form factor.
2Productivity
If the contact width is increased to improve power transfer, then the charging efficiency increases, but the connector size may exceed standard Micro-USB dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the contact width in a single dimension, the patent distributes multiple contact inserting portions across multiple dimensions (arranged in parallel within the insulative body structure). This allows the total effective contact area to be increased while maintaining the external dimensions within standard Micro-USB specifications.
3Power
If multiple contact inserting portions are added to increase power capacity, then the current conduction capability improves, but the structural complexity of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple contact inserting portions are integrated into a single insulative body structure, merging what could be separate components into one unified connector assembly. The first, second, third, and fourth contact inserting portions are all housed within the same insulative body, simplifying assembly and reducing the number of discrete parts while maintaining high current conduction capability.
4Productivity
If the connector design is modified to support higher current, then fast charging is enabled, but compatibility with standard Micro-USB ports may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it maintains mechanical compatibility with standard Micro-USB ports through the standardized insulative body and tongue structure, while simultaneously enabling fast charging through the multiple contact inserting portions. The metal shield and convex portions provide additional functionality for shielding and secure fitting, making the connector universally adaptable across different devices and ports.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly has a plug and socket; the plug includes an insulative body, at least one first power contact, at least one second power contact and a metal shield. The insulative body has a base portion and a tongue portion extending from the base portion. The tongue portion includes a plurality of power contact grooves and penetrates through the base portion, and at least one first convex portion defined in a periphery of the tongue portion. The first power contact and the second power contact are respectively formed on the power contact grooves of the insulative body for connection to a power source in a socket of host device. The metal shield encloses the tongue portion of the insulative body to cover the tongue portion. Consequently, the charging speed can be increased, reducing charging time.