USB port

[aidank]

I have a Panasonic FZ-G1 which I use in a high vibration environment. It has a GPS sensor plugged into the USB port. Vibration tends to cause the USB cable to drop off which is annoying.

Any ideas on what I could do with the USB port to firm up the cable connection.

As per photos attached, it doesn't have screws threads in the housing. Dare I try drilling and fitting an insert, not much room to play with.

 

[voipio]

Hot melt glue?

Or cable tie the cable to one of the nearby brackets. (sorry, must've been adding this line as @MattF was posting his)

 

[MattF]

Fit a right angle usb connector, so that the cable isn't sticking straight out like that, & then use a sticky backed cable tie clip or such so that you can secure the cable to the unit.

Minimise lead protrusion & secure the lead, & vibration will be less inclined to work it loose.

 

[aidank]

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interesting cable head, as you can see it has the 90degree head. & from reading the description it can be inserted into a port either turned left or turned right, usually USB cables will only allow inserting one way.

 

[hotponyshoes]

You can get locking usb cables


Suitable depth stop on a drill bit and tap into the plastic (or a heat insert would be better)

Less intrusion, glue a nut to the casework?

Or, glue a bit of metal to the laptop and a magnet to the plug?

 

[Onoff]

3D print a suitable clip?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Maybe a simple first-try would be just bend the metal around on the plug a bit and see if you can make a hump/dimple that lockes it in place a bit better?

 

[angellonewolf]

Short fly lead usb hot glue in to place

The flexibility of the lead will stop the vibration

 

[RichardM]

Have a look in the female fitting, some have little tabs you can bend in.

USB Type A Standard Port Female Solder Jacks Connector PCB Socket USB-A type SMT 4Pin - AliExpress 13

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[BrokenBiker]

Gently crimp the metal part of the plug to close the gap a bit so it's a tighter fit? I've done that on a few things in the past, mostly charger leads on bikes

 

[Agroshield]

3D print a suitable clip?

100%. Looking at the middle photo of the original post, it looks like there should be a clip-on cover for the two ports. There are ready-made lugs on the laptop case to accommodate something.

Make a cover that clips in there, a hole in it for the USB cable and two hooks on the outside of the cover. Prusik loop some elastic to the cable and attach to the hooks. The elasticity will pull the cable into its socket. Adjust the tension and compensate for the length of the elastic by moving the loop down the cable.

Having said all that, I would try the same elastic on the two black loops in the photo - but they may be spaced too far apart to work well.

 

[aidank]

Some interesting ideas here for me to try.

Do USB contacts just rub each other rather than a proper interference fit

 

[jmp49]

They have springy wafer fingers which give a sliding fit, the plastic and shell of the plug itself provides any friction fit.
Id just do all of the previous mentioned fixes, right angled flylead and hot glue gun it into place, then ziptie the cable proper to mount.
If you end up dragging on the cable accidentally, it will pull out the flylead saving damage to the socket itself. If you fix it permanently to the socket on the device with glue or screws, it might do worse damage if you do that.
If you wreck the flylead section or the fingers wear out, you can soften hotmelt glue and pull it out to change in future.

 

[Onoff]

Shugru?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/I000945-Moldable-Multi-Purpose-Creative-Fixing/dp/B089WHGQDP