USB Connector Metal Shell Retention via Elastic Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB connectors experience abrasion and defects due to the metal shell scraping against protrusions on the insulative housing during assembly, leading to unreliable retention and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The connector design features a retaining slot with protrusions on the side walls and corresponding clearances between the insulator and side walls, allowing the metal shell to deform elastically and pass over the protrusions without abrasion, ensuring smooth assembly and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the metal shell is assembled to the insulative housing by interfering engagement with protrusions, then the metal shell can be retained reliably, but the protrusions will be abraded and damaged during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer structure consisting of the insulator and clearance space that absorbs and cushions the impact during assembly. The insulator is positioned between the metal shell and the protrusions, creating a buffer zone that prevents direct contact and abrasion while still allowing the metal shell to be retained reliably on the insulative housing.
2Ease of manufacture
If the metal shell directly contacts the protrusions for retention, then assembly is simple, but abrasion occurs causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - the insulator - that mediates between the metal shell and the protrusions. This insulator acts as a mediator that allows the metal shell to be retained while preventing direct contact and potential damage to the protrusions, thus maintaining both assembly simplicity and manufacturing precision.
3Shape
If the metal shell scrapes the protrusions during assembly, then the metal shell can be positioned, but unwanted defects and abrasion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer structure comprising the insulator and clearance space provides beforehand cushioning that prevents the metal shell from scraping the protrusions during positioning. This cushioning mechanism allows the metal shell to achieve accurate positioning while eliminating the harmful abrasion defects that would otherwise occur.
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
This design enhances the reliability of the connector assembly by preventing abrasion of the protrusions and ensuring secure retention of the metal shell, thereby reducing defects and improving the overall durability of the USB connector.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the metal shell to deform elastically and pass over the protrusions without abrasion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a set of contacts (3) attached to the insulative housing, an insulator (2) retained in the insulative housing (1) and a metal shell (4) covering the insulative housing and the insulator. The insulative housing has a base portion (11) and a tongue potion (12) extending from the base portion (11). The base portion has a retaining slot (1110) and a pair of side walls (113), each side wall has a protrusion (1131) protruding outwardly from an outer face thereof. The insulator (2) is retained in the retaining slot and has a pair of side surfaces (23) facing inner faces of the side wall. At least one clearance is formed between the adjacent side surface and inner face and is corresponding to the protrusions (1131, 1132) respectively in a transverse direction. The metal shell (4) includes a top plate (41), a bottom plate (42), and a pair of side plates (43) passing over the protrusions in a front-to-back direction when the metal shell (4) is assembled to the insulative housing (1).