USB-C Connector Grounding Members with Curved Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of USB type-C electrical plug connectors is complex and prone to defects due to the assembly of individual components, and the V-shaped elastic arm for grounding can have unstable conduction and contact issues.

Innovation Solution

An electrical plug connector design featuring a metallic shell, insulated member, plug terminals, and grounding members with a wavy-shaped elastic arm structure for improved contact and reduced production complexity, where the grounding members are integrally formed and assembled on the insulated member to enhance stability and conduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If individual components are assembled to form USB type-C electrical plug connector, then the connector can be manufactured with modular design, but the production process becomes complicated and defect-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodular designVSAvoidproduction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the grounding member with the insulated member into a single integrated component. The grounding member includes a side arm, first curved contact portion, and second curved contact portion that are all integrally formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing production complexity while maintaining modular design benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If V-shaped elastic arm is used for grounding contact, then the structure is simple, but the conduction becomes unstable and contact reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrounding structure simplicityVSAvoidgrounding conduction stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the V-shaped elastic arm with curved contact portions that have wavy or serpentine configurations. The first curved contact portion and second curved contact portion provide multiple contact points and flexible adaptation to mating surfaces, improving conduction stability and contact reliability while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the grounding structure by introducing curved and wavy configurations instead of straight V-shaped arms. This parameter change allows the grounding member to better accommodate manufacturing tolerances and maintain stable electrical contact, improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are used in grounding assembly, then the design allows for easier manufacturing of individual parts, but the assembly process increases production time and defect rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual part manufacturingVSAvoidassembly production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding member is designed as an integral part of the insulated member, manufactured as a single component through injection molding or similar processes. This merging eliminates multiple assembly steps, reduces production time, and decreases defect rates while maintaining the manufacturability of the overall connector

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design reduces production steps and defect rates, ensures stable conduction and grounding, and prevents electronic interference and noise when mated with a corresponding electrical receptacle connector.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the grounding members comprises at least one side arm, a first curved contact portion, and a second curved contact portion. The at least one side arm, the first curved contact portion and the second curved contact portion are integrally formed as a one-piece member.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The first curved contact portion extends toward the metallic shell and contacts the metallic shell. The second curved contact portion extends toward one ground terminal of the plug terminals and contacts the corresponding one ground terminal of the plug terminals.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction (electrical): Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11545792B2Electrical plug connector with grounding members having integrated first and second curved contact portions for effective ground connections

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 ADVANCED CONNECTEK INC

AI summary

An electrical plug connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated member, plug terminals, and grounding members. The insulated member is in the metallic shell. The plug terminals are held in the insulated member. The grounding members and the insulated member are molded as a one-piece member, thereby reducing the production steps as well as reducing production of defect products. Moreover, the first curved contact portion extends toward the metallic shell and effectively contacts the metallic shell, and the second curved contact portion extends toward the ground terminal and effectively contacts the ground terminal.