Alternating Terminal Layout for Low-Crosstalk Electrical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face significant crosstalk issues during high-frequency signal transmission due to densely arranged conductive terminals with identical structures, leading to interference and signal integrity challenges.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector features conductive terminals with two different structures, including first and second terminals with specific orientations and arrangements, where the first base portion and second base portion are face-to-face, reducing the distance between them, and incorporating add-on members to enhance shielding and reduce mutual capacitance and inductance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conductive terminals are densely arranged to increase connection density, then the quantity of terminals per unit area increases, but crosstalk between adjacent terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving different structural characteristics to different parts of the terminal system. Specifically, alternating between first terminals with forward-extending elastic arms and second terminals with backward-extending elastic arms creates local structural variations that disrupt the uniformity of electromagnetic field distribution, thereby reducing crosstalk while maintaining high connection density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry by designing two types of terminals with mirror-image structures. The first terminal type has elastic arms extending forward from the base portion, while the second terminal type has elastic arms extending backward. This asymmetric arrangement breaks the symmetry of adjacent terminals, reducing mutual electromagnetic interference and crosstalk in densely packed configurations
2Volume of moving object
If base portions are positioned closer together to reduce overall terminal size, then space utilization improves, but electromagnetic interference between adjacent terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement parameter of terminal structures by alternating between two configurations: first terminals with forward-extending arms and second terminals with backward-extending arms. This parameter variation in structural orientation creates increased effective spacing between base portions of adjacent terminals, reducing electromagnetic interference while maintaining compact overall dimensions
3Ease of manufacture
If identical terminal structures are used for simplicity of manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity decreases, but signal integrity deteriorates due to crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the terminal population into two distinct groups (first terminals and second terminals) with complementary structures. This segmentation allows each group to have simplified, standardized designs that are easy to manufacture, while the alternating arrangement of the two groups collectively achieves the goal of reduced crosstalk and improved signal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two simple terminal designs (forward-extending and backward-extending types) into an alternating pattern. Each individual terminal type remains structurally simple for easy manufacturing, but their combined alternating arrangement creates the electromagnetic interference reduction effect needed for high-frequency signal integrity
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a plurality of terminal groups arranged along a front-rear direction. Each terminal group is formed by a first terminal and a second terminal provided in the front-rear direction. The first terminal includes a first base portion and two first elastic arms connected to the first base portion. Each first elastic arm has a first contact portion located in front of the first base portion. The second terminal includes a second base portion and two second elastic arms connected to the second base portion. The second elastic arms are formed by extending backward and then bending and extending forward relative to the second base portion. Each second elastic arm has a second contact portion. In a same terminal group, along the front-rear direction, a distance between the first and second base portions is less than a distance between the first and second contact portions.