Connector Block Ground Pad Shortens Coaxial Return Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Panel mount coaxial connectors face challenges with ambiguous and circuitous ground return paths due to mounting on a plate, leading to performance variations, while board mount connectors lack reliable sealing and are prone to electromagnetic interference.
Innovation Solution
A connector block with electrically conductive ground pads provides a consistent and short ground connection by connecting panel mount coaxial connectors directly to specified ground points on a circuit board, ensuring improved shielding and facilitating testing without requiring device installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If panel mount coaxial connectors are mounted on a plate, then the connector provides sealing for the opening, but the ground return path becomes lengthy and circuitous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connector block as an intermediary component between the panel mount connector and the circuit board. This block includes a ground pad that directly contacts the circuit board's ground plane, creating a dedicated ground return path that bypasses the lengthy route through the plate. The intermediary block thus resolves the contradiction by providing both sealing (through the panel mount connector) and a short ground path (through the ground pad).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the grounding function from the mounting function. The panel mount connector handles the sealing and mounting to the plate, while the connector block handles the ground connection to the circuit board. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, achieving both reliable sealing and short ground return path.
2Reliability
If panel mount coaxial connectors are mounted on a plate, then the connector provides sealing, but the ground connection becomes ill-defined and ambiguous
Solution Approach 1:
The connector block serves as an intermediary that defines the ground connection precisely. The ground pad on the connector block makes a specific, controlled contact with the circuit board's ground plane, eliminating the ambiguity of relying on incidental contact points between the plate and circuit board. This intermediary structure ensures consistent, well-defined ground connections across all assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dedicated ground contact point (the ground pad) with specific electrical and mechanical properties. This localized ground connection has controlled impedance and consistent contact pressure, providing precise ground definition at the critical location near the connector, rather than relying on the general, variable contact between plate and circuit board.
3Length of stationary object
If board mount coaxial connectors are used, then the ground return path is short, but the connector cannot provide reliable sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both panel mount and board mount connectors. The connector block is mounted on the circuit board (like a board mount connector) to achieve a short ground return path, while simultaneously supporting a panel mount connector that provides reliable sealing. This combination merges the grounding advantage of board mount connectors with the sealing advantage of panel mount connectors into a single integrated solution.
4Length of stationary object
If board mount coaxial connectors are used, then the connector is mounted directly to the circuit board, but electromagnetic interference can leak through gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The connector block acts as a shielding structure (analogous to a rigid shell) that seals the opening where the coaxial cable exits the circuit board. This shielding structure prevents electromagnetic interference from leaking through gaps, while the direct mounting on the circuit board maintains the short ground return path. The shielding structure complements the short ground path by blocking EMI radiation.
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 connector block ensures a consistent and short ground return path, enhancing signal shielding and allowing for effective testing of circuit boards without device installation, while maintaining reliable sealing and reducing electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
one or more ground pads, each ground pad being proximate to a respective connector slot. For each of the one or more ground pads, when the panel mount coaxial connector is inserted into the connector slot, the ground pad may provide a ground connection to a panel mount coaxial connector
Data Source
AI summary
Connector block for connecting a panel mount coaxial connector to a circuit board. The connector block is electrically conductive, and includes one or more connector slots, each configured to receive a respective coaxial connector that includes an external connection for electrically connecting to a respective complementary coaxial connector of a coaxial cable, and an internal connection for electrically connecting to a trace on a circuit board. The connector block further includes one or more ground pads, each proximate to a respective connector slot. For each of the one or more ground pads, when the panel mount coaxial connector is inserted into the connector slot, the ground pad provides a ground connection to a panel mount coaxial connector, and when the connector block is installed on the circuit board, the ground pad connects to a respective specified ground point on the circuit board, thereby grounding the corresponding panel mount coaxial connector.