Telescoping USB Cable Assembly with Retractable Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB cables are not compact or portable enough, leading to tangles and hassle during transport, and lack an ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing design.
Innovation Solution
A compact and portable USB cable assembly with a main body section that slidably secures the upstream and downstream connectors, featuring a through-hole for attachment to a keychain, ensuring the cable remains connected in both operational and storage configurations, and includes a design that prevents snagging and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If USB cables are made longer and more flexible for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but the cable becomes prone to tangling and harder to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a telescoping cable mechanism where the cable can be retracted into and extended from a housing, similar to a nested doll structure. The cable assembly includes a telescoping cable portion that can be stored within a housing when not in use, eliminating tangling while maintaining full operational length when needed. This nesting principle directly resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of operation (full cable extension) and transport convenience (compact retraction).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic cable management system where the cable length is adjustable between extended and retracted states. The telescoping mechanism allows the cable to dynamically change its effective length based on usage requirements, transitioning from a static fixed-length cable to a dynamic variable-length system. This dynamic capability enables the cable to adapt between operational needs (extended) and storage needs (retracted), resolving the tangling issue while maintaining operational ease.
2Device complexity
If USB cables are made shorter and more compact for portability, then ease of transport is improved, but ease of operation and connection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping cable mechanism enables dynamic length adjustment, allowing the cable to extend to full operational length during connection tasks and retract to a compact size for portability. This dynamic transformation directly addresses the contradiction by providing both compact storage (improved portability) and full extension capability (maintained ease of operation).
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly is segmented into modular components including a housing, telescoping cable portion, and connector elements. This segmentation allows the cable to be stored in a compact folded or retracted state within the housing while maintaining full functional length when deployed, resolving the contradiction between compactness and operational ease.
3Ease of operation
If USB connectors are exposed and accessible at all times for quick connection, then ease of operation is improved, but the connectors become vulnerable to damage and snagging
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is designed to automatically position and protect the connectors when not in use. The telescoping mechanism preliminarily retracts the cable and positions connectors within the protective housing before any potential damage can occur. This preliminary protective action resolves the contradiction by providing automatic protection (improved reliability) while maintaining quick access capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary protective structure between the vulnerable connectors and the external environment. When connectors are not in use, the housing encloses and protects them from snagging and damage. The telescoping mechanism allows the cable to pass through this intermediary protective structure, enabling both protection during storage and quick access during operation.
4Reliability
If USB cables are made more rigid and structured for durability, then reliability is improved, but ergonomics and aesthetic appeal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with smooth, ergonomic contours and a sleek exterior finish that provides both aesthetic appeal and comfortable handling. The telescoping cable portion uses flexible cable construction that maintains durability while allowing smooth extension and retraction. This combination of flexible yet durable materials resolves the contradiction between reliability (durability) and shape (ergonomics and aesthetics).
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly employs composite construction combining durable internal cable structure with an ergonomic external housing. The housing material provides both structural protection and aesthetic appeal, while the internal cable maintains durability through robust construction. This composite approach allows the cable to simultaneously achieve reliability (through durable internal structure) and ergonomic appeal (through the external housing design).
Data Source
AI summary
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable assembly for connecting a portable electronic device to a host device includes a USB cable, an upstream connector, a downstream connector connected to the upstream connector by the USB cable, and a main body section having an upstream connector port configured to slidably receive the upstream connector and a downstream connector port configured to slidably receive the downstream connector, wherein the USB cable is slidably secured to the main body section. In another aspect of the disclosure, the main body section of the USB cable assembly includes an attachment mechanism which is a through-hole formed in the main body section. In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a USB cable assembly includes an upstream connector, a first downstream connector, and a second downstream connector. A USB cable splits into a first downstream USB cable and a second downstream USB cable for connecting the upstream connector to the first and second downstream connectors.