Wearable Connector Stadium Interface Flippable Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable device connectors lack convenience in connection operations, particularly in waterproof designs, as they do not allow for easy orientation adjustments during mating, which can hinder usability when worn on the body.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector assembly featuring a receptacle connector with one row of contacts and magnets, and a cable connector with two rows of contacts and magnets, designed for flippable mating in a stadium configuration, ensuring secure coupling and preventing improper alignment through diagonal placement of magnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector is designed with a fixed orientation for waterproof connection, then waterproof performance is improved, but connection convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector interface employs asymmetric design with a stadium configuration that is symmetric about one axis but asymmetric about the other. The magnets are positioned at specific diagonal locations rather than symmetrically, allowing the connector to be inserted in two orientations (0度和180度) while preventing insertion in other orientations. This asymmetric-magnetic-positioning enables waterproof sealing in valid orientations while providing connection convenience through multiple valid insertion angles.
2Ease of operation
If the connector allows multiple orientation mating, then connection convenience is improved, but alignment precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates magnetic attraction forces that automatically guide and align the cable connector with the receptacle connector during the insertion process. The magnets positioned at diagonal locations create attractive forces that pull the connectors into proper alignment, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment by the user. This self-alignment mechanism maintains high alignment precision even though multiple orientations are permitted.
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
Enables convenient and secure connection operations in wearable devices by allowing dual orientation mating, ensuring seamless integration and user-friendly operation without obstructing body movement, even when worn.
Implementation Method 1
the set of magnets are located at two opposite halves of the long sides of the stadium configuration in the diagonal direction
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly includes a receptacle connector disposed in a wearable machine and equipped with one row contacts and a set of magnets, and a cable connector equipped with two rows of contacts and another set of magnets so as to be mated with the receptacle connector in a flippable manner wherein the interface between the receptacle connector and the cable connector is of a stadium configuration, and the set of magnets are located at two opposite halves of the long sides of the stadium configuration in the diagonal direction.