Conductive Gasket Shielding for High-Speed Connector Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed connector assemblies suffer from cross talk and excessive return loss due to geometrical issues with signal and ground contacts, particularly due to unshielded areas created by pin organizers and ground pins connected below the circuit board surface.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a conductive gasket and pin organizer that provides electrical shielding by compressing between the contact modules and the circuit board, featuring signal openings and ground pin holes to isolate signal pins and ground pins, respectively, thereby filling the unshielded areas and enhancing shielding performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pin organizers are used to hold pins in proper positions, then pin orientation is ensured, but unshielded areas are created between the connector assembly and circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive gasket is introduced as an intermediary component between the pin organizer and the circuit board. This gasket fills the unshielded gap created by the pin organizer's thickness, providing continuous electrical shielding while allowing the pin organizer to maintain pin orientation. The gasket acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between structural support and electromagnetic shielding.
2Reliability
If ground pins are connected at locations internal to the circuit board below the surface, then electrical connection is achieved, but additional unshielded areas are created
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive gasket serves as an intermediary shielding layer that extends down to the circuit board surface, filling the unshielded space created by internal ground pin connections. This ensures continuous electromagnetic shielding from the connector assembly down to the circuit board, while ground pins maintain their reliable internal connections.
3Strength
If conventional pin organizers with solid structure are used, then mechanical support is provided, but shielding gaps are created due to organizer thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive gasket is positioned between the solid pin organizer structure and the circuit board, serving as an intermediary that provides shielding continuity without interfering with the mechanical support function of the pin organizer. The gasket compensates for the shielding gaps inherent in thick pin organizer structures.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding is added to fill unshielded areas, then electrical shielding is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thin conductive gasket film is used to provide comprehensive shielding across the unshielded areas. This flexible thin film approach achieves effective electromagnetic shielding without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the connector assembly, unlike rigid shielding structures would require.
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 effectively reduces cross talk and improves return loss by providing comprehensive electrical shielding between the connector assembly and the circuit board, enhancing signal integrity and performance.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive gasket at least partially fills a space between the bottoms of the contact modules and the circuit board to provide electrical shielding for the signal pins
Implementation Method 2
The conductive gasket is compressible between the bottoms of the contact modules and the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a housing and contact modules having signal contacts with signal pins and a ground shield providing electrical shielding for the signal contacts with ground pins. The connector assembly includes a conductive gasket compressible between the bottoms of the contact modules and the circuit board. The conductive gasket has a top and a bottom facing the circuit board. The conductive gasket has signal openings extending therethrough receiving corresponding signal pins in spaced apart locations to electrically isolate the signal pins from the conductive gasket. The conductive gasket at least partially fills a space between the bottoms of the contact modules and the circuit board to provide electrical shielding for the signal pins between the bottoms of the contact modules and the circuit board.