USB Connector Grounding via Conductive Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB plugs experience reduced electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance, particularly in wireless terminals, due to poor grounding caused by the bottom wall elastic sheets of the USB socket failing to effectively contact the bottom wall of the USB plug.
Innovation Solution
A conductive connecting piece is introduced at the openings of the bottom and top walls of the USB plug, ensuring electrical conduction and improved grounding performance by covering the openings and being in contact with the corresponding walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the USB plug uses a conventional structure with openings in the bottom wall, then the manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the bottom wall elastic sheets cannot effectively contact the bottom wall resulting in poor grounding and reduced EMC performance
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive connecting piece is introduced as an intermediary element between the bottom wall elastic sheets and the bottom wall. This connecting piece effectively transmits the elastic force from the bottom wall elastic sheets to the bottom wall, ensuring reliable electrical contact and grounding without requiring direct contact between the elastic sheets and the bottom wall, thus solving the EMC performance issue while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding path is segmented into distinct functional components: the bottom wall elastic sheets provide contact force, the conductive connecting piece provides the electrical conduction path, and the bottom wall provides the reference potential. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while ensuring reliable grounding and improving EMC performance
2Reliability
If the bottom wall elastic sheets directly contact the bottom wall, then the grounding path is simple, but the contact effectiveness is poor leading to reduced EMC performance
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive connecting piece serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the bottom wall elastic sheets and the bottom wall. It receives the elastic force from the sheets and effectively transmits it to the bottom wall, ensuring reliable electrical contact and grounding without requiring the elastic sheets to directly contact the bottom wall
3Reliability
If the USB plug structure is modified to improve grounding, then the EMC performance improves, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive connecting piece is integrated with the metal connecting sheet in a unified structure. This merging of functions allows the grounding path to be established through existing manufacturing processes for USB plugs, avoiding the need for separate assembly steps or specialized equipment, thus improving EMC performance while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive connecting piece serves multiple functions: it provides the electrical conduction path for grounding, maintains the structural integrity of the plug interface, and ensures reliable contact with the bottom wall elastic sheets. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the manufacturing process
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 solution enhances the EMC performance of USB devices by ensuring effective grounding, addressing the issue of reduced EMC in wireless terminals without requiring significant modifications to existing manufacturing processes or equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a first connecting piece made of a conductive material and positioned at the one or more openings of the bottom wall and at least partially covering the one or more openings of the bottom wall
Data Source
AI summary
An improved Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the USB connector apparatus comprises a top wall; a bottom wall having one or two openings; two side walls; an internal cavity with a rectangular cross section enclosed by the top wall, the bottom wall and the two side walls; a gasket disposed within the internal cavity; and a first connecting piece made of a conductive material and positioned at the one or more openings of the bottom wall and at least partially covering the one or more openings of the bottom wall, wherein the top wall, bottom wall, two side walls, internal cavity and gasket are configured to comply with a USB interface standard. The USB connector apparatus ensures that a bottom wall elastic sheet of the USB socket effectively contacts with the bottom wall of the USB connector, thereby providing higher grounding performance. Further, it improves on the conventional USB connector without much additional cost.