USB Connector Integrating Subscriber Card Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The miniaturization of wireless network access devices is hindered by the space occupied by subscriber card holders and cards on circuit boards, which also experiences heat-related issues.

Innovation Solution

A USB connector design that includes a substrate with a USB signal pin on top and a subscriber card mounting portion on the bottom, featuring a conductive spring data signal pin for secure connection, allowing the subscriber card to be mounted within the connector rather than on the circuit board, thus reducing the device's size and heat impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If subscriber card holder and subscriber card are disposed on circuit board in wireless WAN card, then connection and data transmission are implemented, but space is occupied and miniaturization is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of wireless network access deviceVSAvoidstructural complexity of subscriber card mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the subscriber card mounting function with the USB connector by integrating a card slot directly into the connector structure. This allows the subscriber card to be mounted within the connector rather than separately on the circuit board, combining two functions (USB connection and SIM card mounting) into a single integrated component, thereby reducing overall device volume and simplifying the structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If subscriber card is mounted in USB connector instead of on circuit board, then device size is reduced, but connection reliability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of wireless network access deviceVSAvoiddata signal transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) as an intermediary component between the USB connector and the rigid circuit board. The FPC provides flexible electrical connections that can accommodate the integrated connector design while maintaining reliable signal transmission. This intermediary element allows the subscriber card to be mounted in the connector without compromising connection reliability, as the FPC can flexibly connect the card contacts to the main circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively miniaturizes the wireless network access device by eliminating the need for subscriber card space on the circuit board, enhancing thermal management and maintaining data signal transmission efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the subscriber card data signal pin is a conductive spring, and when the subscriber card is mounted in the groove, the conductive spring presses against the data signal pin of the subscriber card, to electronically connect to the subscriber card

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2922148B1USB connector and wireless internet device
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2922148B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2922148B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2922148B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The present invention provides a wireless network access device. The wireless network access device includes a USB connector, and the USB connector includes a substrate, a USB signal pin, a subscriber card mounting portion, and a subscriber card data signal pin, where the USB signal pin is disposed on a top of the substrate, and the USB signal pin is electronically connected to a first circuit board, to transmit USB signals; the subscriber card mounting portion is disposed on a bottom of the substrate, to mount a subscriber card; and the subscriber card data signal pin is disposed on the subscriber card mounting portion, and the subscriber card data signal pin is electronically connected to the first circuit board, so that when the subscriber card is mounted in the subscriber card mounting portion, subscriber card data signal transmission between the subscriber card and the first circuit board is implemented by using the subscriber card data signal pin. The present invention achieves an objective of miniaturizing the wireless network access device and reduces impact on the subscriber card caused by heat generated in the wireless network access device. The present invention further provides a USB connector.