USB Type-C Connector Position Spacer for Terminal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing USB Type-C connectors lack a reliable position spacer and guiding mechanism for terminals, which complicates their assembly and alignment, especially in mass production, due to their smaller and thinner design.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector with a contact module featuring two rows of contacts, a shielding plate, and a grounding collar that includes a collar portion and grounding plates with spring tabs, providing mechanical and electrical connection, and a metallic shell with a mating cavity and bracket for secure mounting on a printed circuit board, along with a positioning spacer to guide terminal alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If USB Type-C connectors are designed with smaller and thinner size, then the connector size is reduced, but the assembly and alignment becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The position spacer is pre-assembled to the contact module before the terminals are inserted. This preliminary positioning structure guides the terminals during assembly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures and making the assembly process simpler despite the reduced connector size
Solution Approach 2:
The position spacer acts as an intermediary component between the contact module and the terminals. It provides a guiding mechanism that facilitates proper terminal alignment and insertion, resolving the alignment complexity issue while maintaining the compact connector design
2Volume of moving object
If USB Type-C connectors are designed with smaller and thinner size, then the connector size is reduced, but mass production becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The position spacer is pre-assembled to the contact module in advance, creating a pre-positioned sub-assembly. This preliminary preparation simplifies the mass production process by reducing the complexity of terminal alignment and insertion during final assembly, enabling more efficient manufacturing of the compact connector
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into modular components (contact module, position spacer, terminals, housing) that can be manufactured and prepared separately before final assembly. This segmentation allows for streamlined mass production of each component while maintaining the overall compact design
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a contact module comprising two rows of contacts retained therein and a shielding plate, the contacts module defining a main base, a middle step and a mating tongue and, the middle step being located between the main base and the mating tongue in a mating direction, the contacts comprising contacting portions exposed on opposite surfaces of the mating tongue; a metallic shell retained on the main base and surrounding the mating tongue and the middle step to define a mating cavity thereamong and a one piece grounding collar. The grounding collar includes a collar portion fitly surrounding the middle step and a grounding plate extending from the collar portion to mechanically and electrically connect with the metallic shell.