Coaxial Connector Shunt Using Graphite Element

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coaxial connectors with shunts suffer from limited bandwidth and increased volume, compromising current handling and integration due to non-constant frequency response and higher resistance at high frequencies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a graphite element with electrolytic metallic deposits between the core and shield, optimizing bandwidth by minimizing skin effect influence, and ensuring mechanical and electrical connectivity without compromising integration or mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional shunt is used in a coaxial connector, then current handling capability is improved, but bandwidth is limited and resistance increases at high frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent handling capabilityVSAvoidbandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional metal to graphite, which has different electrical properties. Graphite's higher resistivity and different skin depth characteristics enable constant frequency response across a wider bandwidth while maintaining current handling capability up to 12 GHz and beyond.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining graphite with metallic deposits. The graphite provides the resistive bridge function with optimized frequency response, while the metallic deposits (such as copper or silver) provide low-contact resistance at the interfaces, creating a composite shunt that achieves both high current handling and wide bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a shunt is integrated into a coaxial connector, then current protection function is improved, but connector volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent protection functionVSAvoidconnector volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the shunt function from a separate component and integrates it directly into the coaxial connector structure. The graphite element is positioned between the core and shield, eliminating the need for external shunt components and reducing overall connector volume while maintaining the current protection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shunt function is nested within the existing connector structure. The graphite element fits in the space between the core and shield, utilizing the existing geometric configuration rather than adding external volume. This nested integration allows the shunt to be part of the connector's internal architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a shunt is integrated into a coaxial connector, then current protection function is improved, but bandwidth is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent protection functionVSAvoidbandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional metal to graphite, which has different electrical properties. Graphite's higher resistivity and different skin depth characteristics enable constant frequency response across a wider bandwidth while maintaining current handling capability up to 12 GHz and beyond.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining graphite with metallic deposits. The graphite provides the resistive bridge function with optimized frequency response, while the metallic deposits (such as copper or silver) provide low-contact resistance at the interfaces, creating a composite shunt that achieves both high current handling and wide bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 achieves a bandwidth greater than 12 GHz with equivalent current handling, while maintaining compactness and mechanical strength, enhancing the coaxial connector's performance for high-frequency applications.

Implementation Method 1

each of the first and second metallic deposits being an electrolytic deposit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrolytic deposit: Electrodeposition

Implementation Method 2

at high frequency, the current flows on the surface of conductive materials and this over a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the skin. Graphite, due to its low electrical conductivity, has a significant skin thickness.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSkin effect: Skin Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3430691B1Coaxial connector comprising a shunt, assembly and method for manufacturing such a connector
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP3430691B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3430691B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3430691B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

The invention relates to a coaxial connector (1) comprising a shunt. Said coaxial connector (1) includes: a conductive core (10); a metal shield (20) surrounding the core (10); a dielectric (30) positioned around the core (10) and the shield (20) in order to electrically insulate them from one another, and a shunt for providing a resistive bridge between the core (10) and the shield (20). The shunt includes: an element made of graphite (40) positioned between the core (10) and the shield (20); and a first and a second metal deposit (51, 52) for providing an electrical and mechanical connection between the element made of graphite (40) and the core (10) and the shield (20), respectively. The invention additionally relates to a coaxial cable and to an electrical device, both including such a coaxial connector (1) and a method for manufacturing such a coaxial connector (1).