Cable Assembly Ground Shield Eliminates Drain Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face difficulties with routing and bending of electrical cables, particularly differential pair cables, due to impedance mismatches and cross-talk noise, especially when large numbers of cables are required.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly is designed with a printed circuit board and conductive attachments that eliminate the need for a drain wire, using a ground shield on each side of the cable for improved flexibility, reduced manufacturing costs, and enhanced signal integrity, while maintaining mechanical strength through solder connections to ground pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional differential pair cables with drain wire are used, then signal transmission is achieved, but cable flexibility is reduced and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the drain wire from the traditional differential pair cable structure. By extracting this unnecessary component, the cable achieves improved flexibility and reduced manufacturing complexity while maintaining signal transmission functionality through the ground shield that provides both grounding and shielding functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the grounding and shielding functions into a single ground shield structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate drain wire and ground wire, simplifying the cable construction to include only two signal wires and one ground shield, thereby improving flexibility and reducing manufacturing steps.
2Reliability
If traditional cable termination methods are used, then electrical connection is achieved, but impedance mismatches and cross-talk noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the ground shield in close proximity to the signal wires throughout the cable length and at termination points. This localized grounding structure maintains consistent impedance characteristics and provides continuous shielding against cross-talk, improving signal integrity without complicating the termination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground shield acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the signal wires and external electromagnetic interference. By positioning the ground shield between the signal wires and the environment, it provides electromagnetic shielding and establishes a reference potential, reducing cross-talk and impedance mismatches at terminations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If large numbers of cables are routed in information handling systems, then connectivity requirements are met, but routing and bending difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the drain wire from the cable construction, the patent reduces the overall cable diameter and increases flexibility. This extraction allows for easier routing through tight spaces and simpler bending operations when deploying large numbers of cables in information handling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the cable by eliminating unnecessary components and optimizing the remaining structure. The reduced cable diameter and simplified construction result in improved flexibility and easier handling, enabling better adaptability for routing multiple cables in confined system environments.
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 solution allows for more flexible and cost-effective cable assemblies with improved signal integrity and mechanical strength, reducing impedance mismatches and cross-talk noise, and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
A first conductive attachment couples the first signal wire to the first signal pad, a second conductive attachment couples the second signal wire to the second signal pad, and a third conductive attachment couples the first ground shield to the first ground pad
Implementation Method 2
maintaining mechanical strength through solder connections to ground pads
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly includes a printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface. A first post and a second post extend from one side of the printed circuit board. A first signal pad, a second signal pad, and a first ground pad are each coupled to the first surface. A first cable has a first signal wire at least partially covered by a first insulator and a second signal wire at least partially covered by a second insulator. The first cable further has a first ground shield at least partially covering the first and second insulators. A first end of a first cable is mounted between the first and second posts. A conductive attachment couples the first ground shield to the first ground pad.