Plug Connector Asymmetric Projections Prevent Reverse Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors are prone to short circuits and damage due to incorrect insertion angles or reverse insertion, leading to disrupted signal transmission and potential hardware damage.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a plug connector with projections and a stopper block, along with a reinforcing metal shell, and a socket connector with foolproof features, ensuring correct alignment and preventing erroneous insertion by using projections and housing slots, and reinforcing portions to secure the components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the socket connector and plug connector are inserted without alignment guidance, then the insertion operation is simple and fast, but the connectors may be inserted obliquely or reversely causing short circuits or damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion simplicityVSAvoidconnection safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric design in multiple components: the tongue plate has an asymmetric shape with specific orientation requirements, the projections on the insulating body are positioned asymmetrically to match corresponding housing slots in the metal shell, and the stopper block is located at a specific asymmetric position. These asymmetric features ensure that the connector can only be inserted in the correct orientation, preventing oblique or reverse insertion while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Manufacturing precision

If the connector structure includes alignment features like projections and housing slots, then the insertion alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion alignmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the alignment function into multiple segmented components: the insulating body contains projections that correspond to housing slots in the metal shell, the tongue plate has its own alignment features, and the stopper block provides additional positioning. This segmentation of alignment functions across different components achieves precise insertion alignment while distributing the complexity across modular elements rather than requiring a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the connector lacks protection against incorrect insertion, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the connectors may be damaged due to overexertion during incorrect insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddamage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary protective measures through the asymmetric alignment features (projections and housing slots) and the stopper block positioned on the tongue plate. These features prevent incorrect insertion before damage can occur by making it mechanically impossible to insert the connector in the wrong orientation. This preliminary prevention avoids the need for more complex post-failure protection mechanisms while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS10630015B2Plug connector and socket connector
Publication Date: 2020.04.21 SHENZHEN DEREN ELECTRONICS
  • US10630015B2 patent drawing
  • US10630015B2 patent drawing
  • US10630015B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A plug connector includes an insulating body, a first plug conductive terminal set and a second plug conductive terminal set. The insulating body includes a base portion, a tongue plate, at least two projections and a stopper block. The tongue plate extends onward from the base portion, the at least two projections extend from two sidewalls of the tongue plate, and the stopper block is positioned on an inner side of one of the at least two projections. The first plug conductive terminal set is fixed upon one side of the tongue plate. The second plug conductive terminal set is fixed upon the other side of the tongue plate.