USB eSATA Connector with Integrated Power Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current USB and eSATA connectors require external power supplies for eSATA devices, increasing costs and making products less compact due to the need for separate power transmission contacts.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design incorporating a set of expanded contacts with power transmission capabilities, including deflectable cantilevered beams and power contacts integrated within the USB and eSATA contact sets, allowing for power supply through the eSATA connector without external power, achieved through an insulative housing with specific contact arrangements and insert molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If eSATA connector uses external power supply, then power transmission is reliable, but product cost increases and compactness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines signal transmission and power transmission functions into a single integrated connector. The eSATA connector is modified to include additional power contacts that work alongside the signal contacts, eliminating the need for separate external power supplies and achieving both reliability and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it can transmit both data signals and electrical power through the same physical interface. This multi-functionality allows the connector to replace both signal and power connections, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a mating cavity, a tongue portion extending into the mating cavity and defining thereon first and second faces opposite to each other, and a plurality of contacts retained to the housing. The plurality of contacts defines a first and second set of contacts and expanded contacts. The first set of contacts each defines a first blade contacting section exposed onto the first face, the second set of contacts each defines a deflectable cantilevered beam exposed onto the second face, and the expanded contacts include at least one power contact for power transmission. The at least one power contact defines a second contacting section arranged between two adjacent cantilevered beams and projecting out of the second face.