Reinforced USB Type-C Receptacle Connector Corner Rupture
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB Type C receptacle connectors experience corner rupture due to repetitive engagement and disengagement with plug connectors, leading to a shortened lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A reinforced electrical receptacle connector design featuring an insulative housing with a shielding plate and corner reinforcing tabs that are embedded within the tongue, enhancing structural strength and preventing corner rupture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the insulative housing is made of plastic with a protruding tongue, then the connector structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the front corners of the tongue rupture due to repetitive engagement force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines plastic insulative housing with metal shielding plate to create a composite structure. The metal corner reinforcing tabs are embedded in the plastic tongue, creating a composite component that leverages the ease of molding plastic while adding the strength of metal at critical stress points.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire tongue from metal, the patent applies metal reinforcement only at the critical front corners where rupture occurs. This localized reinforcement provides strength exactly where needed while maintaining the overall plastic construction for ease of manufacture.
2Productivity
If the connector undergoes repetitive engagement and disengagement, then the connector achieves its intended function of connecting electrical devices, but the front corners of the tongue rupture and the connector breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The metal corner reinforcing tabs are pre-installed in the tongue before the connector is put into service. These tabs provide preventive reinforcement at the corners, cushioning them against the repetitive stress of engagement and disengagement that would otherwise cause rupture.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of plastic and metal materials creates a structure that can withstand repetitive mechanical stress. The metal tabs provide durability and resistance to fatigue from repeated engagement cycles, extending the connector's operational life.
3Strength
If the tongue corners are reinforced with additional material, then the structural strength and lifespan are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal corner reinforcing tabs are nested within the plastic tongue structure during the molding process. The tabs are embedded in cavities formed in the tongue, creating a nested configuration where the metal reinforcement is integrated within the plastic housing without adding external complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reinforcement function with the existing tongue structure by embedding the metal tabs directly into the plastic molding. This combining of functions (structural support + reinforcement) into a single integrated component avoids adding separate complex reinforcement mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A reinforced electrical receptacle connector has an insulated housing, a first terminal set, a second terminal set, a shielding plate and a shell. The insulated housing has a base and a tongue formed on the base. The shielding plate is embedded in the insulated housing and has two corner reinforcing tabs are formed on respectively on two front corners of the shielding plate. Each corner reinforcing tab has a front edge being flush with the front edge of the tongue and an outside edge being flush with one of the outside edges of the tongue. The shell accommodates the insulated housing. The front corners of the shielding plate are substantially hidden in the front corners of the tongue, which prevents inadvertent rupture at the front corners.