Board-End Optical Connector Layout for High-Speed Signal and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors using copper as a conductive material face interference issues with increasing transmission speeds and signal and power transmission interference, and optical-fiber connectors struggle with effective power supply.
Innovation Solution
An optical-fiber connector assembly with a board-end connector comprising a shell, insulating housing, receptacle power terminals, and an optical communication module, featuring staggered flat contact portions and offset axial lines for improved signal and power organization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If copper is used as conductive material for signal transmission, then electrical signal transmission is achieved, but transmission speed is limited and interference from external signals and environments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces copper-based electrical signal transmission with optical-fiber connector assembly that uses light as the medium. This substitution eliminates the limitations of electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference, achieving higher transmission speeds and immunity to external signal interference through optical communication principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention integrates multiple materials including insulating housing material, metal shell material, and optical-fiber components into a composite connector assembly. This composite structure combines the advantages of different materials to achieve both electrical isolation and optical signal transmission capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If copper is used for both signal transmission and power transmission, then both functions are achieved, but signal and power interfere with each other easily
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is segmented into distinct functional modules: an optical communication module for signal transmission and separate power transmission terminals for power delivery. This segmentation allows signal and power to be transmitted independently through different physical pathways, eliminating mutual interference while maintaining both transmission capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating housing acts as an intermediary that physically separates and electrically isolates the power transmission terminals from the optical communication module. This intermediary structure prevents electromagnetic interference between power and signal while allowing both functions to coexist in the same connector assembly.
3Speed
If optical-fiber connector assembly is used to increase signal transmission speed, then transmission speed is improved, but effective and sufficient power supply cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges optical-fiber connector assembly with integrated power transmission terminals into a unified connector structure. This combination allows the connector to simultaneously provide high-speed optical signal transmission through the optical communication module and effective power supply through the separate power terminals, eliminating the power supply limitation of pure optical connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an optical communication interface and a power transmission interface. The universal design allows a single connector to handle multiple functions (signal transmission and power supply) that were previously required from separate components, achieving both high speed and effective power supply.
4Power
If multiple power terminals are arranged in the connector, then power supply capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission terminals are nested within the insulating housing structure, with the housing providing both structural support and electrical isolation. This nesting arrangement allows multiple power terminals to be integrated compactly without proportionally increasing the overall connector size or complexity, as they share the common housing infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical-fiber connector assembly includes a board-end connector. The board-end connector includes a board-end shell, an insulating housing, receptacle power terminals, and a board-end optical communication module. The board-end shell has an insertion opening and an accommodation space in the insertion opening. The insulating housing is in the accommodation space and includes a base portion and two tongue portions outward extending from a side surface of the base portion. The insulating housing includes an assembling portion defined through the base portion and between the tongue portions. The receptacle power terminals are retained in the base portion, and one ends of the receptacle power terminals are exposed from two faces of the tongue portions and arranged as two rows. The board-end optical communication module is on the assembling portion.