Plug Connector Extension Plate for Accurate Mating Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connectors face challenges in ensuring precise insertion positioning to avoid damage to the tongue plate and conductive pads due to insertion deviation during mating with a receptacle connector.
Innovation Solution
The plug connector design includes an extension plate protruding beyond the mating surface and slots on the lateral sides, facilitating initial and secondary positioning through contact with the receptacle connector, thereby improving insertion reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the plug connector uses a conventional structure with only a tongue plate protruding beyond the mating surface, then the structure is simple, but the insertion positioning accuracy is poor leading to potential damage to the tongue plate and conductive pads
Solution Approach 1:
The connector structure is segmented into three distinct components: the housing, the tongue plate, and the extension plate. The extension plate is further segmented to include positioning slots on its lateral sides. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the extension plate provides initial positioning contact, the positioning slots provide secondary alignment, and the tongue plate makes electrical contact, thereby improving insertion positioning accuracy without creating a monolithic complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The extension plate protruding beyond the mating surface performs preliminary action by making initial contact with the receptacle connector before the tongue plate. This preliminary contact establishes the correct insertion position and alignment, preventing insertion deviation that could damage the tongue plate and conductive pads. The positioning slots on the extension plate further assist in this preliminary positioning action
2Reliability
If the plug connector includes an extension plate protruding beyond the tongue plate, then the initial positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides initial positioning contact with the receptacle connector, incorporates positioning slots for secondary alignment, and protects the tongue plate during insertion. By making the extension plate multi-functional, the patent improves insertion reliability without requiring additional separate components, thus limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the positioning function and the protective function into the extension plate structure. The positioning slots are integrated into the extension plate rather than being separate components. This merging approach consolidates multiple functions into a single component, improving reliability while controlling structural complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If the plug connector lacks positioning slots on lateral sides, then the structure is simpler, but the secondary positioning capability is insufficient leading to insertion deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning slots on the extension plate act as intermediaries between the plug connector and the receptacle connector. These slots receive corresponding positioning protrusions from the receptacle, providing a mediating mechanism that ensures precise alignment and secondary positioning. This intermediary structure improves positioning accuracy without requiring direct complex interlocking between the main bodies of the connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector includes a housing, a built-in circuit board partially located in the housing, and a cable electrically connected to the built-in circuit board. The housing includes a mating surface. The built-in circuit board includes a tongue plate and a number of conductive pads provided on the tongue plate. The housing includes an extension plate extending along a mating direction of the plug connector. The tongue plate and the extension plate protrude beyond the mating surface along the mating direction. The extension plate further protrudes beyond the tongue plate along the mating direction. Two lateral sides of the plug connector also respectively include slots extending through the mating surface. As a result, the insertion reliability of the plug connector of the present disclosure is improved.