Non-Shorting Electronics Jack for Controlled Plug Insertion Sequencing
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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 signal disruption and audio distortion, particularly in applications like modular synthesizers.
Innovation Solution
The jack design includes a first and second sleeve contact member with a gap to prevent premature electrical connection and a dog mechanism that ensures full insertion before completing the signal and ground connections, using insulators to prevent unwanted electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tip conductor contacts the base conductor before the shaft conductor contacts the sleeve conductor during plug insertion, then the electrical connection is established, but the signal is grounded prematurely causing signal dropouts and audio distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The jack employs dynamic contact members (tip contact and sleeve contact) that move relative to each other during plug insertion. The tip contact is spring-loaded to maintain constant pressure, while the sleeve contact remains stationary until the dog mechanism releases it, creating a controlled sequential connection process that prevents signal grounding before proper connection
Solution Approach 2:
The dog mechanism performs a preliminary action by physically blocking the sleeve contact from making electrical connection with the plug sleeve contact until the plug is fully inserted. This preliminary blocking action ensures that the signal path is established before the ground path is completed, preventing premature signal grounding and the associated signal dropouts and audio distortion
2Productivity
If the plug tip contacts the jack sleeve contact before full insertion, then electrical connection is made, but excess current draw occurs causing signal disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection process is segmented into distinct phases: signal connection first (tip contact to base contact), then ground connection later (sleeve contact to plug sleeve contact). The dog mechanism enforces this segmentation by physically preventing the sleeve contact from engaging until the plug is fully inserted, ensuring that signal and ground connections occur in the correct sequence without excessive current draw
Solution Approach 2:
The dog mechanism acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the plug insertion motion and the sleeve contact engagement. It translates the mechanical insertion action into a controlled release of the sleeve contact, ensuring that the ground path is only completed after the signal path is properly established, thereby preventing excess current draw and signal disruption
Data Source
AI summary
A jack for receiving a plug to make an electrical connection, the jack having a jack sleeve contact, comprising a first sleeve contact member and a second sleeve contact member with a gap therebetween 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 first sleeve contact member when engaged by the tip of the plug, when the plug is inserted into the jack, forcing the first sleeve contact member into electrical connection with the second sleeve contact member. 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.