USB-C Plug Connector Special Terminal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing USB Type-C plug connectors have a full-pin structure with four pairs of differential pins, which requires a switching board for connection, leading to increased cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector design featuring an insulating body with upper and lower terminals, including special terminals with contacting and soldering pieces that connect electrically to establish a stable connection, allowing for both positive and negative insertion without additional switching boards, optimizing the pin configuration for reduced cost and improved functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a full-pin structure with four pairs of differential pins is used, then signal transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to requiring a switching board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the switching board from the connector structure, integrating the pin functions directly into the plug connector body. The special terminals with contacting pieces and soldering pieces provide direct electrical connections without requiring an external switching board, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining signal transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The plug connector is designed with multi-functional terminals that can handle both signal transmission and power delivery functions. The special terminals with discrete contacting and soldering pieces provide universal connectivity options, eliminating the need for separate switching board components and reducing overall device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a full-pin structure with four pairs of differential pins is used, then signal transmission capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and eliminating the switching board component, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested. The integrated terminal structure simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces material costs while maintaining full signal transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple components into a single integrated terminal structure. The contacting piece and soldering piece are combined into unified terminals that provide both electrical connection and mechanical attachment functions, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
3Ease of manufacture
If discrete contacting piece and soldering piece are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is segmented into discrete contacting piece and soldering piece components. This segmentation allows for independent manufacturing and assembly of each piece, simplifying the assembly process. The contacting piece inserts into the mating cavity while the soldering piece provides external connection points, enabling modular assembly without increasing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector includes an insulating body defining a mating cavity opening forwardly and a cable-load portion, a row of upper terminals, a row of lower terminals and a special terminal. The special terminal includes a contacting piece and a soldering piece discrete from each other. The contacting piece unitarily includes a contacting portion located at the upper inside of the mating cavity and an upper connecting portion, and the soldering piece unitarily includes a soldering leg exposed upon the lower loading face of the cable-loading portion and a lower connecting portion extending forward from the soldering leg. The upper connecting portion and the lower connecting portion electrically connect to each other so as to establish an electrical connection of the special terminal.