Low Profile USB Plug Cable Assembly with Flat Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional USB plugs have a high profile, which does not align with the trend of miniaturization in device design, particularly for devices like scanners and digital cameras that require a more compact connection method.
Innovation Solution
A USB plug cable assembly with a low profile design featuring a flat cable and a metallic shell that shields an insulative housing with specific contact arrangements and soldering of inner conductors to first and second contacts, allowing for a compact and efficient connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional USB plug with round cable and metallic shell is used, then the connector provides good shielding and structural strength, but the profile height becomes too high for miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional round cable cross-section to a flat cable configuration with inner conductors arranged in upper and lower rows. This dimensional change in cable geometry allows the conductors to be positioned closer together in a planar arrangement, reducing the overall profile height of the USB plug while maintaining the necessary conductor spacing for signal integrity and shielding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the flat cable with upper and lower row conductors is positioned within a compact housing, which is in turn shielded by a metallic shell. The insulative housing encloses the contacts and cable assembly, creating nested layers of protection that maintain shielding effectiveness while minimizing the external dimensions, particularly the profile height.
2Volume of moving object
If a flat cable with upper and lower row conductors is used, then the profile height is reduced for miniaturization, but the cable assembly structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cable conductors into distinct upper and lower rows, with each row containing specific conductors that are soldered to corresponding first and second contacts. This segmentation allows for systematic arrangement and connection of conductors, making the complex flat cable structure more manageable and easier to assemble while achieving the reduced profile height.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly (100), comprises: a plurality of first contacts (2), an insulative housing (1) molding outside the first contacts (2), a plurality of second contacts (3) received in the housing (1), a flat cable (4) connecting with the first contacts (2) and the second contacts (3), and the cable (4) comprising a plurality of inner conductors (40) arranged on upper and lower row, the upper row of the inner conductors (40) soldered to the second contacts (3) and the lower row of the inner conductors (40) soldered to the first contacts (2), a metallic shell (5) shielding outside the insulative housing (1).