Connection Element With Selective Conductive Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unshielded connection elements in telecommunications and data technology face challenges in maintaining optimal transmission behavior at high transmission rates due to issues like alien crosstalk between adjacent elements.

Innovation Solution

A connection element with a non-conductive plastic housing that has partial electrically and/or magnetically conductive coatings on both inner and outer surfaces, preventing external interference while allowing desired couplings to influence transmission behavior, and avoiding unwanted couplings or short circuits through strategic coating and design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a non-conductive plastic housing is used for unshielded connection elements, then the housing avoids unwanted couplings and short circuits, but transmission behavior deteriorates at high transmission rates due to alien crosstalk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unwanted couplings and short circuitsVSAvoidalien crosstalk and interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is made of non-conductive plastic with selective conductive coatings applied only to specific local areas. The inner surface has conductive zones positioned to provide shielding against alien crosstalk from adjacent connection elements, while the outer surface has conductive areas for electromagnetic shielding. This localized application of conductive properties maintains the overall non-conductive nature of the housing, preventing unwanted couplings while providing targeted protection against interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The housing combines non-conductive plastic material with conductive coating layers to create a composite structure. This composite design allows the housing to exhibit both non-conductive properties (preventing short circuits) and conductive properties (providing electromagnetic shielding). The conductive coatings are applied selectively to specific surfaces and areas, creating a multi-functional housing that addresses both crosstalk prevention and electrical isolation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conductive coatings are applied to the housing surfaces, then electromagnetic shielding is improved, but unwanted couplings between adjacent housings may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interference and radiationVSAvoidundesired couplings between adjacent housings
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Conductive coatings are applied selectively to specific local areas rather than covering the entire housing surface. The inner surface receives conductive coatings in zones positioned to shield against alien crosstalk from neighboring connection elements. The outer surface has conductive areas configured for electromagnetic shielding. This localized approach provides necessary shielding while minimizing the conductive surface area that could create unwanted couplings between adjacent housings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The non-conductive plastic housing material acts as an intermediary layer between the conductive coatings and the external environment. This intermediate non-conductive matrix isolates the conductive coating areas from direct contact with adjacent housings, preventing unwanted couplings while allowing the conductive coatings to provide their shielding function. The non-conductive plastic serves as a physical and electrical barrier that mediates between the conductive shielding layers and external interference sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design enhances transmission behavior by mitigating interference and crosstalk while maintaining effective signal communication, even at high data rates like CAT6 or 10Gbit/s Ethernet.

Implementation Method 1

the inner as well as the outer surface partially has an electrically and/or magnetically conductive layer, at least the electrically and/or magnetically conductive areas on the outer surface being coated with an electrically and/or magnetically non-conductive top coat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

this design allows the exploitation of desired couplings between the contacts and the magnetically and/or electrically conductive areas of the inner surface of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2067216B1Connection element for communications and data technology
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 TYCO ELECTRONICS SERVICES GMBH
  • EP2067216B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2067216B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2067216B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection element for communications and data technology, comprising a housing and connection contacts, which are arranged in the housing, wherein the housing has electrically and/or magnetically conductive parts, wherein the surface of the housing is made completely of electrically and/or magnetically nonconductive material, and to a method for producing a connection element.