USB-C Connector Central Piece Structure Against Bending Arm Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB Type-C connectors suffer from insufficient structural strength, leading to easy breakage and damage of bending arms due to frequent insertion and withdrawal, affecting signal transmission stability.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a central piece with vertically bent bending arms having ribs and extension arms, a metal shell, and a three-dimensional structure formed by fixing tabs, increasing connection areas and enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bending arms are made longer to extend from the main body, then the latching hook can reach further to engage with the docking connector, but the structural strength of the side surface of the central piece becomes insufficient and the bending arms become prone to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar structure to a three-dimensional structure by adding vertically bent ribs to the bending arms. The ribs extend upward from the bending arm surfaces, creating additional dimensional support that strengthens the side surface of the central piece without requiring the bending arms to be longer. This vertical dimension provides structural reinforcement while maintaining the original arm length and engagement capability.
2Ease of operation
If the bending arms are made more flexible to accommodate frequent insertion and withdrawal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the bending arms become easily broken and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structural system by combining the bending arm base material with additional rib structures. The ribs are formed from the same material as the bending arm but create a composite effect when combined, providing both flexibility for operation and enhanced strength for reliability. The rib structure distributes stress more effectively throughout the bending arm, preventing breakage during frequent insertion and withdrawal while maintaining signal transmission stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulating body, a central piece, a terminal assembly, an insulating housing, and a metal shell combined with the insulating housing. The central piece has a pair of bending arms. Each bending arm has a first rib and a second rib. The second rib extends frontward to form an extension arm. A front end of the extension arm is arched outward and then extends frontward to form a first bending tab. A front end of the first bending tab is bent inward to form a second bending tab. A tail end of the second bending tab extends inward to form a fixing tab. The terminal assembly is fastened in the insulating body. The central piece is fastened in a middle of the terminal assembly. The insulating body together with the central piece and the terminal assembly is housed in the insulating housing.