Socket Connector Layout for Stable PCB Contact in Less Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increase in length of the socket tongue to ensure electrical connection stability with the circuit board in electronic devices leads to a significant occupied space, compromising the device's compactness.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a housing with an accommodating space and insertion hole, a socket tongue extending into the hole, and a socket base sealing the opening, with electrical connection portions positioned to ensure stability without increasing the socket base's length, using a sealing adhesive to protect and seal the connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the length of the socket tongue extending toward the circuit board is increased to ensure electrical connection stability, then the electrical connection stability is improved, but the space occupied by the socket is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidspace occupied by socket

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the electrical connection portion from the end surface of the socket tongue to the side surface, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows the electrical connection to be established without requiring the socket tongue to extend further toward the circuit board, thereby maintaining connection stability while reducing the space occupied by the socket structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending the socket tongue toward the circuit board to achieve electrical connection, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the electrical connection portion on the side surface of the socket tongue and connecting it to the circuit board from that location. This reverse configuration achieves the same electrical connection function with reduced space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the socket base is made longer to ensure electrical connection stability with the circuit board, then the electrical connection stability is improved, but the connector occupies more space in the electronic device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidspace occupied by connector

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the electrical connection portion on the side surface of the socket base rather than extending it toward the circuit board. This dimensional change allows electrical connection to be achieved without increasing the length of the socket base in the direction toward the circuit board, thus maintaining connection stability while reducing overall connector volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If the socket tongue is shortened to reduce space occupation, then the space occupied by the connector is reduced, but the electrical connection stability with the circuit board deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupied by connectorVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not relying on the extension length of the socket tongue toward the circuit board for electrical connection. Instead, the electrical connection portion is positioned on the side surface and connected to the circuit board from that location, allowing the socket tongue to be shorter while maintaining electrical connection stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of manufacture

If the opening of the insertion hole is left exposed to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but external dirt such as dust can enter the accommodating space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidexternal dirt entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sealing function with the socket base structure by making the socket base extend to seal the opening of the insertion hole. This integration of sealing functionality into the existing structural component achieves protection against external dirt without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity, as the sealing action is accomplished through the natural extension of the socket base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250219335A1Connector and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

This application discloses a connector and an electronic device. The connector includes a housing, a socket tongue, a socket base, and a circuit board. The housing is provided with an accommodating space and an insertion hole in communication with the accommodating space. The insertion hole runs through a first end surface and a second end surface of the housing. The first end surface is opposite the second end surface. The accommodating space is arranged close to the second end surface. A first end portion of the socket tongue extends into the insertion hole in a suspending manner. The socket base is connected to a second end portion of the socket tongue. The circuit board is disposed in the accommodating space, and the circuit board includes an electrical connection sub-board.