Conductive Holder Connector With Bridge Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector systems face signal loss and degradation due to insufficient shielding, particularly at higher frequencies, leading to ground-induced noise resonances and pair-to-pair crosstalk, which hinders performance and density increases without significant size changes.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a conductive holder and frame assembly that includes dielectric frames and bridges to block electrical radiation, providing redundant points of contact and shielding across channels, reducing noise resonance and enhancing signal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shielding is added to reduce interference between contacts, then signal quality is improved, but ground induced noise resonances occur particularly at higher frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into multiple holder members (first holder member, second holder member, third holder member) that are electrically connected to each other. Each holder member provides localized shielding, and their combined effect creates comprehensive electromagnetic shielding without forming isolated ground structures that cause resonances.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder members serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical support for the contacts, provide electromagnetic shielding, and create signal channels. The tabs on the holder members provide both structural connection between holder members and electromagnetic shielding through their configuration.
2Productivity
If density of electrical connectors is increased to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but signal loss and degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple independent signal channels separated by tabs on the holder members. This segmentation allows high-density packing of connectors while maintaining electrical isolation between adjacent channels, preventing signal degradation even as density increases.
Solution Approach 2:
Each signal channel has dedicated shielding provided by the holder members and tabs in its immediate vicinity. This localized shielding approach ensures that each channel maintains signal integrity independently, allowing overall system density to increase without compromising individual channel performance.
3Volume of moving object
If size of electrical connectors is reduced to increase density, then device complexity is reduced, but shielding effectiveness decreases leading to performance strain
Solution Approach 1:
The holder members and tabs perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical support, electrical connection between sections, and electromagnetic shielding. This multi-functionality allows compact connector design without sacrificing shielding effectiveness, as the same structural elements provide both mechanical and electromagnetic functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding approach transitions from relying solely on external shield structures to using the holder members themselves as shielding elements. The tabs extending from holder members create shielding in the dimensional space between contacts, providing effective shielding within a compact form factor.
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 noise resonance and cross-talk, improving signal integrity and performance by ensuring electrical continuity and shielding across the connector assembly, even at higher frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
The bridge blocks electrical radiation across the hole between the adjacent channels
Implementation Method 2
The first and second holder members are electrically connected to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a contact module having a conductive holder and a frame assembly held by the conductive holder. The conductive holder includes first and second holder members electrically connected to one another and having a chamber divided into a plurality of channels by first and second tabs. The first tabs have posts extending therefrom and the second tabs having holes receiving the posts with tab segments on opposite sides of the associated holes. Each hole has a bridge extending across the hole between the tab segments that blocks electrical radiation across the hole between the adjacent channels. The frame assembly includes a dielectric frame received in the holder members including a plurality of contacts and frame members supporting the contacts routed through corresponding channels. The first and second tabs are disposed between corresponding frame members and the bridges are disposed between corresponding frame members.