Removal Delay Feature for USB Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Universal Serial Bus (USB) connected memory devices often experience write abort errors when removed, leading to premature wear and degradation due to the initiation of write abort handling protocols.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a removal delay feature, featuring a connector with retention features that maintain power lead contact while disconnecting data leads, allowing for a controlled power down and delaying removal by up to 100 milliseconds to finalize write operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electronic device is quickly removed from the receiver, then the ease of operation is improved, but write abort errors increase and device lifespan degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The retention features are segmented into multiple positions (first retention feature for full engagement, second retention feature for partial engagement) that allow different stages of disconnection. This segmentation enables the device to transition through controlled states during removal, ensuring write operations complete before full disconnection occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The second retention feature engages in advance during the removal process to maintain power connection after data connection is lost. This preliminary action ensures that power remains supplied to the device long enough to complete pending write operations before the device is fully removed, preventing write abort errors.
2Reliability
If the electronic device remains connected longer to allow write operations to complete, then write abort errors are reduced, but the removal time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention features dynamically transition between engagement states during removal. The first retention feature disengages initially allowing partial removal, then the second retention feature engages to maintain power connection temporarily. This dynamic state change allows the device to extend connection time only as needed for write completion, then quickly finish removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal process occurs in periodic stages: first retention feature disengagement, second retention feature engagement, power lead maintenance period, then final disengagement. This periodic action structure allows controlled extension of connection time for write operations while ensuring complete removal eventually occurs.
3Reliability
If the power leads remain connected after data leads are disconnected, then write operations can be finalized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention features are extracted as separate, distinct structural elements from the connector housing. By taking out the retention functionality as separate features rather than integrating it into the basic connector structure, the design allows for the complex staged disconnection behavior while keeping the individual components relatively simple and manufacturable.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device that comprises a base, an insert housing, and a connector. The insert housing is coupled to the base at a first end and comprises a first side extending in an outward direction from the base. The first side comprises a first retention feature formed in the first side at a first distance from the base and a second retention feature formed in the first side at a second distance from the base. The first distance is less than the second distance. The first side partially defines a second end of the insert housing opposite the first end and open to allow access to an interior of the insert housing. The connector is coupled to the base and disposed within the interior of the insert housing. The connector comprises at least two electrical leads disposed on a surface of the connector accessible through the second end.