USB Connector Retainer Structure for Vibration-Stable Data Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard USB connectors in gaming machines are prone to dislodging due to vibrations, leading to intermittent or complete disconnections that can cause operational failures, particularly in environments with mechanical devices and fans, which may result in player complaints and potential damage claims.
Innovation Solution
A retainer device with a mounting base, connector receiver, and resilient connecting member or strap, designed to secure the connector in place and resist disconnection from mechanical forces, using compressible posts or straps to maintain a stable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard USB connectors are used for ease of use, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vibration-induced disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system is divided into two independent parts: the standard USB connector plug and the retainer device. The retainer device is separately mounted on the gaming machine and independently applies retention force to the connector, allowing the connector to maintain its standard easy-to-use interface while adding vibration resistance through a separate mechanical retention mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer device acts as an intermediary component between the standard USB connector and the gaming machine housing. It provides an additional mechanical retention layer that mediates the connection stability issue without modifying the standard connector interface itself, thus preserving ease of use while improving reliability.
2Device complexity
If standard connectors are used without additional retention, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability worsens due to vulnerability to vibration and mechanical forces
Solution Approach 1:
The solution separates the connector function from the retention function into distinct components. The standard USB connector remains simple and unmodified, while the retainer device provides the additional retention functionality. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining low complexity for the connector while adding only the necessary retention mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer device is designed to be self-contained and self-installing. It includes its own mounting mechanism (adhesive backing or mounting tabs) and retention mechanism (elastomeric material or resilient arms), eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures or additional hardware components.
3Reliability
If the connector is firmly secured to prevent disconnection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer device applies retention force locally at specific contact points on the connector body, rather than uniformly constraining the entire connector. The elastomeric material or resilient arms make contact only at strategic locations, providing sufficient retention force to resist vibration while leaving the insertion and removal paths clear for user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer device uses dynamic, flexible retention mechanisms (elastomeric material or resilient arms) that can deform and accommodate connector movement during insertion and removal. The flexible material dynamically adjusts its retention force, providing strong holding during normal operation but yielding when external force is applied for connector insertion or removal.
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
The retainer device effectively prevents accidental disconnection of USB connectors in gaming machines by applying a retaining force, ensuring stable data communication and reducing the risk of operational failures.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient connecting member connected between the mounting base and the connector receiver
Implementation Method 2
using compressible posts or straps to maintain a stable connection
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer device includes a mounting base, a connector receiver, and a resilient connecting member connected between the mounting base and the connector receiver. A mounting feature is connected to the mounting base and is adapted to connect the mounting base to a structure adjacent to a data connector of an electronic device. The connector receiver is adapted for receiving a linking data connector through an access structure to a received position in which a surface of the connector receiver abuts a surface of the linking data connector for applying a retaining force to the linking data connector in a direction from the connector receiver toward the mounting base.