USB-C Connector EMI Shielding via Elastic Abutting Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB type-C electrical connectors face challenges with electromagnetic interference and resonant issues due to insufficient high-frequency optimization, which affects the performance and compatibility with newer devices requiring higher bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
The electrical plug connector design incorporates a metallic shell, insulated housing, and EMI plates with elastic arms and terminal modules, allowing for dual orientation and improved grounding through terminal and shell contact portions, enhancing high-frequency performance and resonant issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional USB type-C connector structure is used with basic EMI plates, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but high-frequency performance and electromagnetic interference protection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The EMI plate is segmented into multiple independent elastic arms (first elastic arm, second elastic arm, third elastic arm, fourth elastic arm) that can independently contact different ground terminals. This segmentation allows each arm to be optimized for specific high-frequency shielding requirements while maintaining overall structural manageability, resolving the contradiction between improved EMI protection and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms are nested within the insulated housing structure, with the EMI plate positioned between the metallic shell and the terminal modules. This nested arrangement integrates EMI protection functionality into the existing connector architecture without requiring completely separate shielding structures, thereby improving high-frequency performance while controlling overall complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If EMI plates with multiple elastic arms are added to improve electromagnetic interference protection, then shielding effectiveness is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EMI plate with multiple elastic arms serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic interference shielding, ensures reliable ground terminal contact through elastic deformation, and maintains mechanical stability within the connector assembly. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address EMI protection needs without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms utilize material parameter changes through elastic deformation to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. The elastic properties allow the arms to automatically adjust their contact pressure with ground terminals, providing consistent EMI protection across production batches without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, thus enhancing shielding effectiveness while controlling structural complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid EMI plates are used for stable contact, then structural stability is maintained, but contact reliability with ground terminals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The EMI plate transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic structure with elastic arms that can deform under load. This dynamic design allows the arms to flex and make reliable contact with ground terminals while the overall EMI plate maintains its structural stability and positioning within the connector. The elastic deformation capability ensures consistent electrical contact despite manufacturing variations or assembly tolerances.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design optimizes high-frequency features and improves resonant issues, enabling efficient data transmission and compatibility with USB 3.0 standards while allowing for reversible orientation, thus addressing the limitations of conventional USB type-C connectors.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the elastic arms comprises a terminal contact portion and a shell contact portion. The terminal contact portion is extending toward the corresponding recessed hole and in contact with the at least one first ground terminal or the at least one second ground terminal, and the shell contact portion is in contact with an inner surface of the metallic shell.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical plug connector includes an insulated housing received in a metallic shell, first and second terminal modules respectively above and below the insulated housing, and abutting plates (EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) plates). Each abutting plate (EMI plate) is between the metallic shell and the insulated housing. Each abutting plate (EMI plate) includes a main body and elastic arms outwardly extending from the main body. Each elastic arm includes a terminal contact portion and a shell contact portion. The terminal contact portion is extending toward a corresponding recessed hole of the insulated housing and contacts one or more first ground terminal of the first terminal module or one or more second ground terminal of the second terminal module. The shell contact portion contacts an inner surface of the metallic shell. Therefore, the high frequency features of the connector can be optimized effectively and resonant problems of the connector can be improved.