Plug Connector Movable Grounding Contact First-Mate Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors lack a secure mechanism to establish a reliable connection with plugs while minimizing the risk of damage from electrical charges, particularly in electronic systems.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring movable contact chambers with asymmetrical mechanical resistance, where one contact chamber is designed to be moved between an inserted and extended state, ensuring a first-mate contact sequence and reducing the risk of electrical damage by controlling the connection and disconnection of plug contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional connector design is used, then the connector structure is simple, but the electrical connection is not secure and electronic components are vulnerable to electrical charge damage
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding contact chamber is pre-positioned in an extended state before plug insertion, ensuring it protrudes ahead of other contact chambers. This preliminary positioning guarantees that the grounding contact establishes electrical connection first when the plug is inserted, protecting electronic components from electrical charges before other connections are made.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector's contact chambers are segmented into movable and fixed types, with the grounding contact chamber being movable while others remain fixed. This segmentation allows the grounding contact to independently extend and retract, enabling controlled connection sequencing without affecting the overall connector structure.
2Reliability
If additional extended plug contacts are added to ensure first-mate grounding, then electrical connection security is improved, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding contact chamber is designed as a dynamic, movable component that can extend and retract along the insertion direction. When extended, it protrudes ahead to establish first-mate grounding connection; when retracted, it returns to its original position. This dynamic design achieves reliable grounding without requiring permanent extended contacts that would increase overall device volume.
3Ease of operation
If asymmetrical mechanical resistance is applied to the movable contact chamber, then the first-mate contact sequence is controlled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing features an asymmetrical guide surface with different slope angles: a first slope facing the extended position and a second slope facing the inserted position. The first slope has a smaller angle than the second slope, creating asymmetrical mechanical resistance. This asymmetry naturally guides the movable contact chamber to extend easily during plug insertion while requiring controlled force for retraction, enabling reliable first-mate grounding sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is described for establishing an electrical connection to a plug. The connector has a housing having an inner surface and a plurality of contact chambers. Each contact chamber is designed to establish an electrical connection with respectively one plug contact of the plug. A contact chamber has an outer surface and is designed to be movable in one direction parallel to an insertion direction of the plug in order to assume an inserted state or an extended state.