Micro USB Connector - Not Robust

[xrunner]

See attachment. My brother asked me to check out a nexus tablet, he said the USB connector was starting to become loose. He said it's the second one that's had the USB connector become loose.

You can see the rear tabs have the solder cracked. I am going to add more solder to the rear tabs, but I just think the industry went a little too small for normal use with these connectors, especially if kids are involved (they are at his house).

[sleemanj]

Largely agree.  Most Micro USB connectors are not very tolerant of any lever action, which is unfortunately common for hand held devices that might be used with the USB cable plugged in while charging, doesn't take long before they get damaged just from usage.  I think there are a few out there with decent through-hole tabs to prevent this, but of course this is more work in the manufacturing process so most device manufacturers just go with surface mount.

They are also a PITA to replace with hand soldering.

Mini USB was small enough if you ask me.

[georges80]

Also doesn't help that lead free solder is used...

cheers,
george.

[Rerouter]

Considering there are 2 big screws mechanically securing the port to the case, i would go with add a fair bit of gel flux, reflow, adn bulk up the solder holing the outer shroud of the connector, once that is beefed up i've rarely seen them fail again, atleast for the numerous garmin GPS's i've hard to repair the plug on,

[xrunner]

Also doesn't help that lead free solder is used...

Yep.

Considering there are 2 big screws mechanically securing the port to the case, i would go with add a fair bit of gel flux, reflow, adn bulk up the solder holing the outer shroud of the connector, once that is beefed up i've rarely seen them fail again, atleast for the numerous garmin GPS's i've hard to repair the plug on,

Will do. 

[radioFlash]

I've just replaced that connector for the second time in my daughter's Nexus. You should measure the charging current to make sure it's charging properly. Before it stops charging completely, the maximum charging current drops because the connection isn't secure.

With the gap in the seam, you should probably replace the connector. It's not too difficult with hot air, but be careful about lifting the traces. Also, when you solder the connector, try to avoid too much heat--the little plastic "tongue" in the middle of the connector can get a little melted/deformed.

[xrunner]

With the gap in the seam, you should probably replace the connector. It's not too difficult with hot air, but be careful about lifting the traces. Also, when you solder the connector, try to avoid too much heat--the little plastic "tongue" in the middle of the connector can get a little melted/deformed.

Well noted.

You know, it's a shame that they aren't more robust. At least my brother can turn to someone that can fix it. There's no telling how many people will just throw them in the trash because they won't send them in to get fixed and don't have a clue how to do it themselves. More and more electronic junk for landfills. 

[zapta]

Are there holes or vias in the support pads? If not they peels easily. On the other hand, USB connectors that have PTH support are very strong in my experience.

[xrunner]

Well there's more wrong - the thing wasn't charging at all. I discovered that the +5V wasn't being passed through the USB connector. It has an internal break of some kind. I bypassed the USB connector with a hack to my lab supply and it is now charging. I can obtain the USB connector for this device off Ebay for about $6.

In the other pic, I want to monitor the battery voltage on that connector, but I can't do more than probe it. I want to clip onto those edge parts of the connector, but even the smallest clips I have won't do it. Does anyone know of a clip that can grab something like that? I want to get some for my set up.

[radioFlash]

These connectors have plated through holes in the Nexus, but the seam is pretty weak. If you wiggle the connector to take it out, or if you bump the charging cable too hard, the seam separates and you get a poor connection/no charging.

Probably the easiest way to monitor the connector is to solder on a small length of wire-wrap wire which you can then hook up to with an ez hoook/mini grabber.

[xrunner]

These connectors have plated through holes in the Nexus, but the seam is pretty weak. If you wiggle the connector to take it out, or if you bump the charging cable too hard, the seam separates and you get a poor connection/no charging.

Waiting on the connector to arrive - I told my brother the best thing is to make a rule that the kids can't play with it while it's charging.

Probably the easiest way to monitor the connector is to solder on a small length of wire-wrap wire which you can then hook up to with an ez hoook/mini grabber.

Yea prolly right.

[NiHaoMike]

Maybe permanently fit a wireless charging kit to it?

[Eartoot]

Keep an eye out for the official Asus Nexus 7 dock. It charges via a set of pogo pins (power supply connects to back of dock) which might help with the kid aspect.

[xrunner]

Keep an eye out for the official Asus Nexus 7 dock. It charges via a set of pogo pins (power supply connects to back of dock) which might help with the kid aspect.

Yea that's cool. Kids and micro-connectors do not play well together. Still waiting on the part ...

[commongrounder]

What is interesting, and counterintuitive, is the micro-usb connector is rated at 10000 insertions versus 1000 to 5000 insertions for the older mini-usb variants.  So much of the connector separation problem could be solved just by case design.  Having the clamshell case close tightly around the jack would transfer the strain away from the solder joints.  Wireless charging designs will soon improve the situation.

[Smokey]

The fact that micro-USB became the defacto power connection for charging things always amazes me for so many reasons. 
Why oh why doesn't anyone make a proper through hole microUSB header?

[Eartoot]

What is interesting, and counterintuitive, is the micro-usb connector is rated at 10000 insertions versus 1000 to 5000 insertions for the older mini-usb variants.  So much of the connector separation problem could be solved just by case design.  Having the clamshell case close tightly around the jack would transfer the strain away from the solder joints.  Wireless charging designs will soon improve the situation.

What do wireless charging systems usually use for a connector? My personal and work phone both have cases with embedded QI coils, so I picked up some cheap QI chargers (single and multiple coil). The multiple coil charger works well but uses a micro-usb connector, the default connector made a lousy mechanical connection (smallest tap would knock connector out).

[ajb]

Why oh why doesn't anyone make a proper through hole microUSB header?

They do.  Off the top of my head I know Wurth make one, I'm sure many manufacturers have TH variants.  Well, I think the electrical contacts are still SM, but the shell has four rather beefy TH pins that should make for a pretty robust connector.  The problem for most device manufacturers is the height--note that the OP's tablet uses an in-PCB connector.  A TH version would probably be three times the height above the board, plus the pins would protrude from the bottom.  There goes your nice thin case design with the sculpted edges.

[Smokey]

Why oh why doesn't anyone make a proper through hole microUSB header?

They do.  Off the top of my head I know Wurth make one, I'm sure many manufacturers have TH variants.  Well, I think the electrical contacts are still SM, but the shell has four rather beefy TH pins that should make for a pretty robust connector.  The problem for most device manufacturers is the height--note that the OP's tablet uses an in-PCB connector.  A TH version would probably be three times the height above the board, plus the pins would protrude from the bottom.  There goes your nice thin case design with the sculpted edges.

Can you post up the part?  I'm not being difficult.  I just searched before and didn't come up with anything.

[ajb]

Sure.  Annoyingly, they list it on their website as an SMT connector: 629 105 150 521

Mouser stocks it.  I'm pretty sure I bought a few by accident once, I'll see if I can find them and take a closer look at how sturdy they are.

[neslekkim]

That connector should be very sturdy, the others should be banned.
I like the microusb better than the miniusb, I feel the mini usb connector itself sits not good, but the micro is tight and nice.

[dr.diesel]

Part of the problem is the long straight USB cable, lots of leverage.  I bought a pile of 90 degree charging cables, much shorter, no problems since.

[GNU_Ninja]

I hate micro USB connectors with a passion 

Anyway, I bought a couple of QI wireless charging pads for my Nexus, keep one at home and one at work, so I never have to plug ANYTHING, EVER, into that stoopid micro USB port 

[neslekkim]

Part of the problem is the long straight USB cable, lots of leverage.  I bought a pile of 90 degree charging cables, much shorter, no problems since.

Same on mini usb right?
Similar problem at work, Displayport on laptops, HDMI on projectors, so lots of adapters and stuff to connect, strangely we havent destroyed the laptops yet, but many of the adapters are broken

[xrunner]

Got the little USB connector today. I'm going to post up some pics from my microscope, mainly for the people "out there" that may want to try to repair it and might be interested in some pics of what it looks like with the part removed and then replaced. I'm not the greatest SMD solderer on the forum but I can get the job done.