USB eSATA Connector Dual-Direction Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB and eSATA combo connectors lack a design that allows for efficient mating in different directions, leading to potential misalignment and reduced usability in compact electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector features a housing with distinct mating cavities and tongues for USB and eSATA signals, each with specific contacting sections and leg portions to accommodate plugs in alternate orientations, ensuring secure engagement and reduced component occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single connector housing is used to accommodate both USB and eSATA terminals, then device integration is improved and space occupation is reduced, but the connector cannot mate with plugs in different directions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is segmented into two distinct mating cavities: a first mating cavity for USB plugs and a second mating cavity for eSATA plugs. Each cavity is oriented in a different direction and contains appropriately oriented terminals, allowing the single connector to accommodate plugs inserted from different directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing serves multiple functions by integrating both USB and eSATA connectivity capabilities within a single component. The housing simultaneously supports mating with both USB plugs and eSATA plugs through its multi-directional cavity design, making it a universal connector for different interface standards.
2Reliability
If separate connectors are used for USB and eSATA interfaces, then each connector can be optimized for its specific interface, but device integration is reduced and space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines USB and eSATA connectors into a single integrated housing structure. The housing merges both interface types while maintaining their individual mating cavities and terminal configurations, achieving space efficiency without compromising interface-specific optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB and eSATA terminal assemblies are nested within the same housing structure, with each terminal set positioned in its own designated cavity. The terminals are arranged such that both interface types coexist within the compact integrated housing, similar to nested dolls occupying different spaces within a common container.
3Ease of manufacture
If terminals are arranged in a single direction within the housing, then manufacturing is simplified, but the connector cannot accommodate plugs inserted from alternate directions
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs asymmetric terminal arrangements within the housing. The first terminals for USB are oriented in one direction within the first mating cavity, while the second terminals for eSATA are oriented in a different direction within the second mating cavity. This asymmetric design enables the connector to accept plugs from alternate directions while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic terminal positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a housing and a set of first terminals for eSATA and a set of second terminals for USB. The housing defines a mating cavity with a front opening and a mating tongue in the mating cavity, the mating tongue defines a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Each of the first terminals includes a first contacting section disposed on the first mating face, a second contacting section bending from the first contacting section to be in the second mating face and a leg portion. Each of the second contacts includes a contacting section disposed on the second mating face and a leg portion.