Universal Test Connector for SATA and USB Storage Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage device testers require different connectors for USB and SATA interfaces, making them incompatible and necessitating separate testing setups, which is inefficient and costly for mass-market computing devices.
Innovation Solution
A universal test connector with a receptacle connector, cross-member, and SIO contacts that can connect to both USB and SATA data storage devices, allowing for blind mating and serial communication, enabling a single tester to handle both interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate testers are used for USB and SATA data storage devices, then each interface can be tested with a dedicated connector, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test connector is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both USB and SATA data storage devices. The connector includes contact elements arranged to interface with both USB connector configurations (Type-A, Type-B, Micro USB) and SATA connector configurations, allowing a single tester to perform testing functions for multiple device types without requiring separate dedicated testers for each interface standard.
2Reliability
If different connectors are used for USB and SATA interfaces, then each connector can be optimized for its specific interface, but the quantity of connectors and testing setups required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test connector incorporates contact elements and structural features that enable it to interface with both USB and SATA connectors. The connector design includes multiple contact elements arranged in configurations that match both USB (with its various types and pinouts) and SATA (with its 7-pin configuration), allowing a single connector to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The test connector is designed with modular contact elements that can be selectively engaged depending on the type of device being tested. The connector includes separate contact groups that correspond to USB contact arrangements and SATA contact arrangements, allowing the appropriate contacts to be activated based on the inserted device type, thus maintaining interface-specific optimization within a universal structure.
3Device complexity
If a universal test connector is designed to accommodate both USB and SATA interfaces, then device complexity and manufacturing cost decrease, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test connector includes detection circuitry and control logic that automatically identifies the type of device inserted (USB or SATA) and configures the testing parameters accordingly. The system performs preliminary detection of the connector type, contact configuration, and device interface standard before initiating the testing sequence, thereby eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing the difficulty of measuring and detecting device characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal test connector is disclosed for connecting a data storage device including a plug connector, a USB interface connector, and a plurality of serial I/O (SIO) contacts to a data storage device tester. The universal test connector includes a receptacle connector configured to connect to the plug connector, a cross-member configured to conform around the USB interface connector, and a plurality of SIO contacts configured to connect to the plurality of SIO contacts on the data storage device.