Angled Ground-Clip Cable Assembly for Dense Circuit Card Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems face challenges with signal and power output due to long electrical paths on circuit boards, leading to reduced performance and limitations in cable density and contact pad spacing, which hinder the miniaturization of electronic assemblies.
Innovation Solution
The use of a cable assembly with a ground clip and conductor support that angles the cable exit relative to the circuit card, allowing for tighter spacing and improved electrical performance by reducing insertion loss and crosstalk through controlled electromagnetic fields, and enabling denser packing of contact pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cables are terminated to a circuit card with conventional techniques, then the cables can be routed along the circuit card, but ample spacing is needed between rows of circuit cards to allow routing of the cables
Solution Approach 1:
The ground clip angles the cable exit transverse relative to the mounting surface of the circuit card, changing the routing dimension from planar (along the circuit card) to three-dimensional (exiting at an angle). This dimensional change allows cables to be routed in a different spatial direction, enabling tighter spacing between circuit cards while maintaining adequate cable routing clearance.
2Area of stationary object
If contact pads are spaced closer together to increase density, then the overall size of the electronic assembly is reduced, but routing of cables from the circuit card becomes difficult with conventional techniques
Solution Approach 1:
By angling the cable exit transverse to the mounting surface, the invention creates additional routing space in the vertical dimension. This allows contact pads to be spaced closer together on the circuit card while cables exit at an angle, providing sufficient clearance for cable routing without requiring larger overall assembly dimensions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If long electrical paths are used on the circuit board to route signals, then connections between components are established, but electrical performance is reduced due to signal losses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the signal transmission function from the circuit board traces by using cable assemblies to carry signals directly between the electronic package and the circuit card. This removes the long electrical paths through the host circuit board, reducing signal losses and improving electrical performance while maintaining routing flexibility through the cable assembly configuration.
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
This configuration enhances the electrical performance and density of communication systems by reducing excess insertion loss and crosstalk, allowing for more compact designs with improved signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
reducing excess insertion loss and crosstalk through controlled electromagnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly includes a cable having signal conductors and a cable shield surrounding an insulator. The cable assembly includes a ground clip coupled to the end of the cable having a support wall supporting the end of the cable. Exposed portions of the signal conductors extend through a window in the support wall. The ground clip includes connecting tines extending from the support wall to interface with upper and lower portions of the cable shield. The ground clip includes a mounting tab configured to be mounted to a circuit card to fix the ground clip relative to the circuit card and electrically connect the ground clip to the circuit card. The ground clip supports the cable such that the cable extends from the support wall in a cable exit direction angled transverse relative to a mounting surface of the circuit card.