Multi-Standard Connector Design for USB and eSATA Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The slow adoption of USB 3.0 and eSATA III standards is hindered by the need for redesigning motherboard hardware and revising operating systems, and the lack of widely available eSATA connectors, necessitating connectors that provide full backward and forward compatibility between USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and SATA I, II, III standards.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a substrate with multiple interface connection terminal sets, including conductive pads for USB and spring-loaded contacts for USB 3.0, and contacts for eSATA, housed in a composite material shell, allowing for mechanical and electrical compatibility with various standards, including USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and eSATA I, II, III.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If USB 3.0 and eSATA III standards are adopted, then data transfer speed is improved, but hardware redesign and operating system revision are required
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is designed to accommodate multiple connector types (USB Type-A, USB Type-B, eSATA) within a single structure. The interior cavity can be configured with different terminal sets to support both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 standards, as well as eSATA I, II, and III standards, allowing a single connector to perform multiple functions and support multiple data transfer standards without requiring separate dedicated connectors for each standard
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into distinct terminal sets within the housing, with each terminal set dedicated to specific standards (e.g., one terminal set for USB 2.0, another for USB 3.0 SuperSpeed, and another for eSATA). This segmentation allows selective activation of different terminal sets based on the connected device, enabling backward compatibility while supporting newer high-speed standards without requiring complete hardware redesign
2Adaptability or versatility
If eSATA connectors are made widely available with full backward and forward compatibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple eSATA connector variants (eSATA I, eSATA II, eSATA III) into a single unified connector structure. The housing contains multiple terminal sets that can be selectively activated, allowing the same physical connector to support all three eSATA generations as well as USB standards, thereby achieving full backward and forward compatibility without requiring separate dedicated connectors for each standard
Data Source
AI summary
Described are connectors having a substrate, a first interface connection terminal set electrically coupled to the substrate, a second interface connection terminal set electrically coupled to the substrate, a third interface connection terminal set electrically coupled to the substrate, a housing coupled to the substrate and surrounding at least a portion of the first interface connection terminal set, the second interface connection terminal set, and the third interface connection terminal set, and a shell coupled to the housing and the substrate, wherein the first interface connection terminal set and the second interface connection terminal set are configured to support at least two interface connection standards with interfaces that are mechanically different.