USB Connector Shell With Extended Lock Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB connectors face challenges in maintaining a compact size in the mating direction while accommodating modifications, such as additional contacts, due to restrictions in the arrangement of lock holes and the bending of metal shells.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a shell with standard and modified portions, including lock holes that extend beyond the bending position, allowing for the addition of contacts without deforming the shell, and a ditch to receive a bulge from a modified interface, enabling compliance with both standard and special interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lock hole position is changed to accommodate additional contacts, then the interface can be modified, but the shell may be deformed during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The lock hole is extended in the width direction (perpendicular to the bending direction) beyond the bending position, allowing the shell to be bent without deforming the lock hole while still accommodating additional contacts. This dimensional extension resolves the conflict between interface modification and manufacturing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional contacts are added to the connector, then the connector functionality is enhanced, but the connector size increases in the mating direction
Solution Approach 1:
Additional contacts are arranged in the width direction (perpendicular to the mating direction) by extending the lock hole in that dimension. This allows the connector to accommodate more contacts without increasing its size in the mating direction, effectively moving the expansion to a different spatial dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell is designed with a standard portion that maintains compatibility with standard connectors and a modified portion that accommodates additional contacts. This multi-functional design allows the same connector structure to support both standard and extended contact configurations.
3Length of moving object
If the lock hole is positioned near the edge of the shell for compact design, then the connector size is reduced, but the shell deformation occurs during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The lock hole is extended in the width direction beyond the bending position, creating a region that is safe from deformation during the bending process. This allows the lock hole to be positioned optimally for compact design while preventing shell deformation through the extended dimension.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is selectably mateable with a first mating connector and a second mating connector. The first mating connector has a first interface and two lock portions. The second mating connector has a second interface. The connector comprises a shell. The shell has a standard portion, a modified portion and two coupling portions. The standard portion corresponds to both the first interface and the second interface. The modified portion and the coupling portions correspond not to the first interface but to the second interface. The modified portion is apart from the standard portion in an up-down direction. The coupling portion couples the standard portion and the modified portion. The shell is formed with two lock holes. The lock hole extends from the standard portion to the coupling portion. The lock holes receive the lock portions when the connector is mated with the first mating connector.