Cable Assembly Modules With Inclined Rear Cables For Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable assembly modules on printed circuit boards lack effective shielding both within individual modules and between densely arranged neighboring modules, which affects data transmission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A cable assembly module design featuring a front mating member with signal and grounding contacts, a rear cable with inclined orientation, and a shielding shell that provides mechanical and electrical connections to circuit pads while maintaining a low profile, allowing for oblique arrangement and efficient shielding between modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cable assembly modules are densely arranged on the printed circuit board, then productivity and space utilization are improved, but shielding effect between neighboring modules deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedensity of cable assembly modulesVSAvoidshielding effect between modules
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by placing grounding contacts within the cavities formed by neighboring signal contacts. The grounding contacts are positioned in the spaces between adjacent signal contacts, effectively utilizing the available space while providing shielding. This nested arrangement allows dense module placement without compromising shielding, as the grounding contacts are embedded within the structural voids of the contact array.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration by having the rear cable extend along an inclined direction relative to the printed circuit board plane. This dimensional change allows the cable to route through the thickness of the board rather than along its surface, creating space for shielding structures and enabling denser surface mounting while maintaining electromagnetic isolation between modules.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If shielding structures are added to cable assembly modules, then shielding effect is improved, but device complexity and profile height increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding effectVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the shielding function with the existing contact structure by integrating grounding contacts into the same housing and arrangement as the signal contacts. The grounding contacts share the same structural framework, mounting holes, and overall layout as the signal contacts, combining multiple functions (signal transmission and electromagnetic shielding) into a unified structure rather than adding separate shielding components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for both signal and grounding contacts, establishes the geometric arrangement for electrical connections, and creates the spatial configuration necessary for shielding. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated shielding structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective electromagnetic protection.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If grounding contacts are added to provide shielding, then shielding effect is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding effectVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the contact array into distinct signal contact units and grounding contact units, each with its own cavity and mounting structure. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing where signal and grounding contacts can be prepared separately and then assembled together, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to creating complex integrated shielding structures from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is pre-formed with cavities and mounting features that accommodate both signal and grounding contacts before the contacts themselves are installed. This preliminary preparation of the housing structure simplifies subsequent assembly operations, as the mounting locations and orientations are already established, reducing the skill level and time required for final assembly compared to creating shielding structures during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11239586B2Cable assembly modules detachably mounted upon corresponding circuit pads
Publication Date: 2022.02.01 FOXCONN (KUNSHAN) COMPUTER CONNECTOR CO LTD
  • US11239586B2 patent drawing
  • US11239586B2 patent drawing
  • US11239586B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A cable assembly module includes: a front mating member; a rear cable linked behind the mating member and including a pair of signal wires; a pair of signal contacts retained upon the front mating member, each of said signal contacts including a middle retaining section associated with the front mating member, a front mating section spaced from the front mating member in a deflectable manner, and a rear connecting section mechanically and electrically connected to the corresponding signal wires, respectively; and a pair of grounding contacts located by two sides of the pair of signal contacts; wherein the front mating sections are adapted for being directly mated with circuit pads of a printed circuit board disposed in a plane, and the rear cable extends along a direction inclined with the plane.