USB Connector ESD Grounding Clip Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB connectors without a soldered shroud ground connection are susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD) between the shroud and electronic circuits, as they lack a path to safely dissipate electrostatic charges.
Innovation Solution
A USB-type connector design featuring a split-level base block with an ESD grounding clip, where the clip is affixed to the signal ground pin and protrudes above the base block surface, allowing the shroud to engage and contact the clip, thereby directing any electrostatic discharge harmlessly to the signal ground pin for dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the shroud is not soldered to the printed circuit board (no ground connection), then the device structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the device becomes susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding function is segmented from the shroud structure itself and implemented through a separate ESD grounding clip that can be independently attached to the signal ground pin. This allows the shroud to remain structurally simple while adding ESD protection through a separate, modular component.
Solution Approach 2:
The ESD grounding clip acts as an intermediary element between the shroud and the signal ground pin. It provides the necessary electrical connection for ESD protection without requiring direct soldering of the shroud to the circuit board, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliability.
2Reliability
If the shroud is soldered to the printed circuit board (ground connection), then protection from electrostatic discharge is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding function is extracted from the complex shroud-soldering process and implemented through a separate ESD grounding clip that attaches to the signal ground pin. This simplifies the overall manufacturing process by eliminating the need to solder the shroud directly to the circuit board while maintaining ESD protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The ESD grounding clip serves as a simple, inexpensive component that provides the necessary grounding function without requiring permanent soldering. It can be easily attached and replaced if needed, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to permanent soldered connections.
3Device complexity
If a conventional USB connector without ESD grounding clip is used, then the connector structure is simpler, but electrostatic charge cannot be safely dissipated
Solution Approach 1:
The ESD grounding clip is pre-positioned on the signal ground pin before the shroud is assembled. This preliminary action ensures that the ESD protection path is already in place and ready to function immediately when the shroud engages with the clip, preventing electrostatic discharge damage from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The ESD grounding clip serves as an intermediary that provides the missing ESD protection path in conventional connectors. It bridges the gap between the shroud and the signal ground pin, enabling safe dissipation of electrostatic charges without fundamentally changing the overall connector structure.
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
Effectively prevents damage from electrostatic discharge by providing a grounded path for the dissipation of electrostatic charges built up in the shroud, ensuring the safety of semiconductor components during USB connections.
Implementation Method 1
any electrostatic discharge built up in the shroud travels from the shroud, through the ESD grounding clip, to the signal ground pin where it is harmlessly dissipated
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is disclosed for preventing electrostatic discharge during connection of a USB-type connector. The connector includes a grounding clip provided within a recess formed at least partially down into the surface of the second level of the base block. The grounding clip may have a proximal end affixed to a proximal end of a signal ground pin of the plurality of signal pins, though the grounding clip and signal ground pin may be coupled at other locations along their lengths. The connector including the grounding clip may be affixed to a semiconductor device. A portion of the grounding clip is provided at a height above the surface of the base block such that, when a shroud is slid around the connector, the shroud engages and remains in contact with the grounding clip. Accordingly, any electrostatic discharge built up in the shroud travels from the shroud, through the ESD grounding clip, to the signal ground pin where it is harmlessly dissipated.