Modular Backplane Connector Seating to Eliminate Signal-Degrading Gaps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed connectors in modular electronics systems often have designed-in and tolerance-induced gaps, leading to signal degradation due to interference, crosstalk, and noise, which can cause damage and reduce performance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of spring-loaded fasteners, plungers, and compressible gaskets, along with adjustable card cage members and high-tolerance manufacturing processes, to ensure full seating of connectors and reduce gaps between module and backplane interfaces, maintaining mechanical integrity and signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If connectors are designed with gaps between mating surfaces, then mechanical assembly is easier and tolerance accumulation is reduced, but signal quality deteriorates due to increased return loss, interference, and crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric material is introduced as an intermediary substance between the connector mating surfaces. This dielectric fills the gap that would otherwise exist due to design or tolerance accumulation, providing both mechanical support and electrical isolation. The dielectric material enables the connectors to be pressed together with appropriate force while maintaining signal integrity by eliminating the air gap that causes return loss and interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state and properties of the gap between connectors are changed by introducing a dielectric material. Instead of leaving an air gap (vacuum/air medium), the gap is filled with a material having different dielectric properties, which changes the electrical characteristics of the interface. This parameter change reduces return loss and improves signal quality while maintaining the mechanical ease of assembly.
2Reliability
If connector gaps are reduced through high-tolerance manufacturing, then signal performance improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than relying on high-tolerance manufacturing to eliminate gaps, a dielectric intermediary is introduced that actively fills the gap. This approach achieves the signal performance benefits of gap elimination without requiring complex high-precision manufacturing processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining signal integrity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spring-loaded fasteners are used to press connectors together, then mechanical stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Spring-loaded fasteners are employed that automatically apply and maintain the necessary pressing force between connector mating surfaces. The springs provide self-regulating mechanical stability, continuously compensating for any gap formation or dimensional variations without requiring external adjustment or complex control mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains stable electrical contact while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
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 solution effectively eliminates or reduces connector gaps, enhancing signal performance by minimizing interference and maintaining mechanical stability, while maintaining compatibility with existing architectures.
Implementation Method 1
a first element that forcefully pushes or pulls the module towards a backplane of the chassis... a second element that forcefully pushes or pulls the backplane towards the chassis
Implementation Method 2
compressible gaskets... effectively filling or reducing any designed-in and/or tolerance-induced gap in the connector interface
Data Source
AI summary
A connector gap between a module connector mating surface and the backplane connector of a chassis may be eliminated through a mechanism that forcefully pushes (or pulls) the module towards the backplane and/or forcefully pushes (or pulls) the backplane toward the module. A spring-loaded or resilient element may be used to fasten the module in a way that effectively fills any designed-in and tolerance-induced gap in the connector interface, allowing the connector to fully seat. In addition, a gasket or other compressible member may be included at the connector mating interface. The gap in the connector interface may be reduced by introducing adjustable card cage members that are capable of being set during the assembly or manufacturing process using special alignment fixtures. The gap in the connector interface may also be reduced by introducing a higher tolerance capable manufacturing process, such as machining, to the card cage sub-assembly.