USB Type-C Signal Connector Grounding Member Pressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The USB Type-C connector is prone to electric short-circuit and elastic fatigue due to the close proximity of its metal components, leading to potential damage and safety hazards, and requires a redesign to ensure stable and long-term operation.
Innovation Solution
A signal connector design featuring an insulating body with through grooves, metal grounding members with pressing parts and insulating layers, and a metal housing that clamps the grounding members between the insulating body and housing, preventing metal terminals from contacting each other and the housing, thus preventing short-circuits and elastic fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the USB Type-C connector is designed with two connection terminal sets in limited space, then the both-side insertable function is achieved, but the separation spaces between conductors become smaller causing electric short-circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces grounding members as intermediary components between the metal terminals and the metal housing. These grounding members with insulating layers act as mediators that electrically isolate the conductors from the housing, preventing short-circuits while maintaining the compact both-side insertable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies insulating layers locally on specific portions of the grounding members that are positioned near the metal terminals. This localized insulation approach provides targeted protection against short-circuits in the critical areas where conductors are closest to the housing, while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the connection terminals are frequently plugged and pulled, then the connector is used more conveniently, but elastic fatigue and permanent deformation of terminals occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the grounding members with pressing parts that apply pre-compression force to the metal terminals before any damage can occur. This beforehand cushioning through continuous pressing force prevents elastic fatigue and permanent deformation by maintaining terminals in a stress-relieved state throughout frequent plug and pull operations.
3Device complexity
If the grounding members are clamped between the insulating body and metal housing, then the structure is compact, but the pressing force on metal terminals may cause deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the pressing parameters by designing the grounding members with specific pressing part geometries and material properties. The pressing force is optimized to be sufficient for preventing short-circuits and reducing elastic fatigue, while remaining below the threshold that would cause permanent deformation of the metal terminals.
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 effectively prevents electric short-circuits and elastic fatigue, ensuring the quality of electric connections, enhancing usage safety, and extending the endurability of the USB Type-C connector.
Implementation Method 1
has an insulating layer covered on a side surface thereof facing the plurality of through grooves
Implementation Method 2
the pressing part is used to apply a restoring force on the plurality of first and second metal terminals
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a signal connector which includes an insulating body having a plurality of through grooves cut through top and bottom surfaces thereof adjacent to a front end thereof; an insulating terminal seat mounted inside the insulating body and having a plurality of metal terminals fastened thereon and separated from each other; two metal grounding members having rear ends respectively assembled with the top and bottom surfaces of the insulating body, having pressing parts respectively formed adjacent to front ends thereof and corresponding in position to the through grooves and having insulating layers respectively covered on side surfaces thereof facing the through grooves; such that the pressing part is able to apply a restoring force on the metal terminal when the signal connector is plugged with other signal connector and the metal terminal is moved away from the insulating terminal seat through the corresponding through groove.