USB Type-C Connector Shielding via Nested Metallic Shell
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
USB Type-C connectors face challenges in achieving effective shielding performance to mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) while maintaining a compact and versatile design capable of supporting high transmission speeds up to 10 Gbps.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector incorporates an insulating housing with a metallic shell and bracket that includes a shielding plate and members to form a terminal module, providing EMI protection through insert-molding and shielding of contact legs in both the front and rear directions, allowing for orientation-independent plug insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact and thinner receptacle connector design is implemented to support USB Type-C specifications, then the connector size is reduced and versatility is improved, but shielding performance deteriorates due to limited space for EMI protection structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested shielding structures where the shielding plate is positioned within the insulating housing, and the metallic shell encloses the entire connector assembly. This nested arrangement maximizes EMI protection within the compact USB Type-C form factor by layering shielding elements at different levels without increasing overall connector dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends shielding protection into the vertical dimension by adding a metallic shell that surrounds the connector housing, rather than relying solely on planar shielding. This three-dimensional shielding approach provides comprehensive EMI protection while maintaining the compact footprint required for USB Type-C applications
2Speed
If high transmission speed of 10 Gbps is achieved in USB Type-C connectors, then data transmission performance is improved, but shielding performance becomes more critical and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the shielding function into multiple segments: a shielding plate positioned between contact elements, and a metallic shell providing external enclosure. This segmentation allows each shielding component to address specific EMI challenges associated with high-speed signals, with the shielding plate protecting internal signal paths and the metallic shell providing external EMI protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies enhanced shielding measures specifically at locations where high-speed signals are most vulnerable. The shielding plate is strategically positioned to protect the contact legs carrying 10 Gbps signals, while the metallic shell provides localized protection at the connector interface where EMI exposure is highest
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing, contacts, a shielding plate disposed in the housing and a metallic shell. The housing includes a base and a mating tongue, the base includes a retaining portion and a supporting portion extending downwards beyond the retaining portion. The contacts have contacting portions exposing to the mating surface and legs extending downwards from the supporting portion. The shielding plate defines a pair of side latches thereof. The metallic shell is retained on the retaining portion of the base and surrounds the mating tongue to define a mating cavity between the shell and the mating tongue. The connector further includes a front shielding member covering a front face of the supporting portion and a rear shielding member covering on a rear face of the supporting portion for shielding the legs of the contacts in a front and rear direction.