Backplane Connector Shielding Structure for Low-Inductance Grounding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-speed backplane connectors face challenges with insertion loss and crosstalk resonance due to increased signal loop inductance, which affects signal transmission performance.

Innovation Solution

A female backplane connector design featuring a shielding piece with a contact portion and connecting portion that reduces inductance by increasing contact area and establishing multiple signal loop paths, thereby shortening the signal loop path and mitigating resonance issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a shielding piece is added to form a common loop path with ground terminal, then electromagnetic isolation effect is enhanced, but signal loop inductance increases causing insertion loss and crosstalk resonance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic isolationVSAvoidsignal transmission performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding piece extends in multiple directions (first direction and second direction perpendicular to first) to create a three-dimensional shielding structure, enhancing electromagnetic isolation while controlling inductance through spatial optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact portion is pre-configured with a contact surface before assembly, ensuring optimal contact with the ground terminal is achieved automatically when the connector components are mated, thereby minimizing loop inductance from the start

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If contact area between shielding piece and ground terminal is increased, then inductance is reduced, but structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinductanceVSAvoidcontact structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact portion is integrated as an inherent part of the shielding piece structure rather than being a separate component, merging the shielding function with the grounding contact function to reduce overall structure complexity while maintaining large contact area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding piece serves multiple functions simultaneously: electromagnetic shielding, structural support, and electrical grounding contact through its contact portion, eliminating the need for separate grounding components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If signal loop path is shortened, then insertion loss is reduced, but shielding effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion lossVSAvoidshielding effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding piece has different structural characteristics in different regions: the contact portion optimizes for minimal inductance and short loop paths, while the main body extends to provide comprehensive electromagnetic shielding coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The design reduces insertion loss and crosstalk resonance, enhancing signal transmission performance by optimizing the contact between the shielding piece and ground terminal, ensuring efficient current flow and improved electromagnetic isolation.

Implementation Method 1

the contact portion is configured to abut against a ground terminal of a male connector... a current enters the ground terminal of the male connector from the main body over a shortest path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the connecting portion surrounds the contact portion, and forms, jointly with the contact portion, a convexity protruding from the main body... a plurality of signal loop paths are established

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3996213B1Shielding sheet, female connector, connector assembly and communication device
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3996213B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3996213B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3996213B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application provides a shielding piece, a female connector, and a connector assembly. The shielding piece includes a main body and a contact portion, and the contact portion is connected to the main body by using at least two elastic arms or a connecting portion. The connecting portion surrounds the contact portion, and forms, jointly with the contact portion, a convexity protruding from the main body. The at least two elastic arms are connected to the main body at a periphery of the contact portion along different directions, and a gap is formed between the main body and the at least two elastic arms. The contact portion is configured to abut against a ground terminal of a male connector. By disposing the at least two elastic arms or the connecting portion to connect to the contact portion, a contact portion with a relatively large area is obtained, an inductance is reduced, and a sudden inductive change of a current is reduced. Further, a plurality of signal loop paths are established, and a current enters the ground terminal of the male connector from the main body over a shortest path that is selected by proximity. This shortens a signal loop path, thereby reducing an insertion loss, and mitigating crosstalk and resonance problems.