Grounding Contact Retention in USB Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Universal Serial Bus connectors face issues with the separation of contacting portions of upper and lower contacts during frequent insertion and withdrawal of plug connectors, leading to unreliable connections.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring an insulative housing with first and second contacts, a metallic shielding plate, and a shielding shell, where the front end portions of grounding contacts establish a mechanical and electrical connection with the shielding plate, enhancing retention and preventing deflection, and the contacts are arranged in 180-degree symmetry for reversible compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If grounding contacts are designed with free ends that abut against each other or shielding plate, then electrical connection is established, but contact stability deteriorates under frequent insertion and withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding contact structure transitions from a simple linear abutment to a multi-dimensional configuration where the contacting portion extends in multiple directions. The contacting portion has a first end portion contacting the shielding plate and a second end portion contacting the paired grounding contact, creating a spatial arrangement that distributes mechanical stress and prevents separation during frequent plug operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple grounding contacts (upper grounding contact and lower grounding contact) are merged into a single integrated structure where their contacting portions are connected. This merging creates a unified grounding system that maintains electrical connection stability even when individual contact points experience wear or displacement from frequent insertion and withdrawal operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If contacts are designed for reversible compatibility with 180-degree symmetry, then adaptability is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design within a symmetric framework. Individual grounding contacts have asymmetric configurations (with specific end portions positioned at front ends) that, when arranged in 180-degree symmetry, enable reversible compatibility. The asymmetric contacting portions are strategically positioned so that the overall structure maintains functional symmetry for reversible plug insertion.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a number of first contacts and second contacts carried by the housing, a metallic shielding plate received in the housing, and a shielding shell attached to the insulative housing. The first contacts and the second contacts have a number of grounding contacts. Each grounding contact of the first contacts has a first end portion located at a front end thereof. Each grounding contact of the second contacts has a second end portion located at a front end thereof and corresponding to the first end portion. The metallic shielding plate respectively is contacted with the first end portion and the second end portion.