Connector Brick Float Mechanism for Cable Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of cable communication systems is challenging due to the difficulty in aligning multiple cable connectors with corresponding openings on backplane circuit boards, and the need for expensive backplane components, which degrades signal integrity as systems increase in density and require high-speed connections.
Innovation Solution
A cable communication system utilizing connector bricks with float mechanisms that allow limited movement in multiple directions, enabling easy alignment and mating with circuit cards, eliminating the need for backplane circuit boards and improving signal integrity by using cable assemblies with shielding for reduced noise and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional backplanes are used to interconnect circuit cards, then signal transmission is achieved, but the backplane becomes larger and signal integrity degrades as density increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the backplane from the system by replacing it with cable assemblies that connect circuit cards directly. The cable assemblies include connectors with floating mechanisms that allow precise alignment without requiring a large backplane structure, thereby maintaining signal integrity while reducing the overall system area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the interconnected system by replacing the monolithic backplane with multiple independent cable assemblies. Each cable assembly operates independently with its own floating alignment mechanism, allowing for better signal integrity on each individual connection while reducing the total area required for the interconnection system.
2Ease of manufacture
If cable assemblies are used to replace backplanes, then cost is reduced by eliminating the backplane, but alignment of cable connectors with circuit cards becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces floating mechanisms that provide dynamic adjustment capability during assembly. The floating connectors can move slightly in multiple directions to automatically align with the circuit card connectors, making the assembly process easier while maintaining precise electrical connections. This dynamic alignment feature eliminates the need for expensive precision machining while ensuring proper mating.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating alignment mechanism allows the cable connectors to self-align with the circuit card connectors during assembly. The floating structure automatically positions itself to achieve proper alignment without requiring external alignment tools or complex positioning procedures, thereby reducing assembly difficulty while eliminating the need for expensive backplane components.
3Speed
If high speed differential connectors are used for high speed lines, then data transmission speed is improved, but signal integrity degrades as signals travel further along the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs shielded cable assemblies with flexible shielding structures that protect high-speed differential signals from interference over longer distances. The shielding acts as a protective shell around the signal conductors, maintaining signal integrity while allowing high-speed data transmission across the cable length without the signal degradation that would occur on a traditional backplane.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector brick for a cable communication system includes a header frame including end spacers and side spacers defining a header opening. The header frame is configured for mating with a circuit card. A plurality of cable connectors are received in the header opening and connected to the header frame. Each cable connector has cables extending therefrom. Each cable connector has a header holding signal contacts at a mating end of the header and configured for mating with a corresponding card connector of the circuit card. Float mechanisms extend from the header frame. The float mechanisms allow limited movement in at least two directions of the header frame. The float mechanisms allow alignment of the header frame with the circuit card. The cable connectors float with the header frame as a unit for mating with the corresponding card connectors.