C-Shaped Ground Bar Connector for Simpler Dual-Side Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed connectors for servers require complex assembly steps due to multiple ground bars needing separate installation on upper and lower surfaces of circuit boards, complicating the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a C-shaped ground bar with upper and lower portions, a sidewall portion, and finger portions that clamp onto both surfaces of the circuit board, allowing simultaneous soldering of ground contacts and improving manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple ground bars are used to provide grounding effect, then grounding reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to separate installation on upper and lower surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate ground bars into a single integrated ground bar structure that spans both the upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board. This single ground bar includes upper and lower grounding portions connected through the board, eliminating the need for separate installation of multiple ground bars while maintaining comprehensive grounding coverage across both surfaces.
2Reliability
If multiple ground bars are installed separately on upper and lower surfaces, then grounding coverage is improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated ground bar combines upper and lower grounding portions into a single component that can be installed in one operation. The ground bar includes a upper portion extending over upper signal contacts and a lower portion extending over lower signal contacts, with both portions electrically connected through the circuit board, allowing simultaneous grounding coverage without sequential assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground bar is designed with pre-formed upper and lower portions that are already positioned and configured before installation. The upper portion includes grounding pads that align with upper ground contacts and the lower portion includes grounding pads that align with lower ground contacts, enabling both surfaces to be grounded in a single assembly operation rather than requiring separate positioning and installation steps.
3Reliability
If multiple ground bars are used, then grounding effectiveness is improved, but the number of assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple grounding functions into a single ground bar component. This ground bar includes an upper grounding portion with multiple grounding pads on the upper surface and a lower grounding portion with multiple grounding pads on the lower surface, all electrically connected through the circuit board. This single component performs the grounding function that would otherwise require multiple separate ground bars and assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a circuit board, signal wires, and a ground bar. The circuit board has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to each other. The upper surface includes upper signal contacts and upper ground contacts. The lower surface includes lower signal contacts and lower ground contacts. Some of the signal wires are in contact with the upper signal contacts respectively. Others of the signal wires are in contact with the lower signal contacts respectively. The ground bar is in contact with the upper ground contacts and the lower ground contacts.