Reversible usb connector with compliant member to spread stress and increase contact normal force

A reversible plug connector comprising:

• a body;
• a dielectric base;
• a shell extending from the body and having an opening at a first end that communicates with a cavity defined by inner surfaces of the shell and the dielectric base;
• a deflectable tongue disposed within the cavity and extending from the dielectric base towards the opening, the tongue having a tip proximal the opening and first and second opposing surfaces that extend from the tip towards the base, the tongue including a first plurality of contacts exposed at the first surface of the tongue proximal the tip and a second plurality of contacts exposed at the second surface of the tongue proximal the tip;
• and
• a support structure that includes first and second support members disposed adjacent to the base and located on opposite sides of the tongue, the first support member having a first major surface that faces the first surface of the tongue, the second support member located having a second major surface that faces the second surface of the tongue, wherein a distance between the first and second major surfaces varies along a portion of a length of the tongue, wherein the first support member is configured to distribute stress across a bending portion of the tongue when the tongue deflects towards and makes contact with the first major surface and the second support member is configured to distribute stress across the bending portion of the tongue when the tongue deflects towards and makes contact with the second major surface.

A reversible Universal Serial Bus plug connector comprising:

• a body;
• a dielectric base;
• a support structure having a slot and being disposed adjacent to the base;
• a shell extending from the body and having an opening at a first end that communicates with a cavity defined by four inner surfaces of the shell and the support structure;
• and
• a deflectable tongue disposed within the cavity and extending from a surface of the slot towards the opening, the tongue having a tip proximal the opening and first and second opposing surfaces that extend from the tip towards the surface of the slot, the tongue including a contact region that includes a first plurality of contacts exposed at the first surface of the tongue proximal the tip and a second plurality of contacts exposed at the second surface of the tongue proximal the tip, the tongue including a plurality of contact frames spaced apart from each other along a width of the tongue and extending between the surface of the slot and the contact region,
• wherein each of the contact frames is coupled to at least one contact of the first or second plurality of contacts;
• wherein a first portion of the slot surface faces the first surface of the tongue and a second portion of the slot surface faces the second surface of the tongue, wherein the first portion of the slot surface is configured to distribute stress across bending portions of the plurality of contact frames when the tongue deflects towards and makes contact with the first portion of the slot surface and the second portion of the slot surface is configured to distribute stress across the bending portions of the plurality of contacts when the tongue deflects towards and makes contact with the second portion of the slot surface.