Electrical Connector with Elastic Differential Contacts for High-Speed Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB connectors have a small size but low transmission rate, while high-speed serial bus interfaces like PCI Express and SATA are larger and less portable due to their increased number of signal pins and size, making them unsuitable for modern miniaturized electronic devices and peripherals.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector with a low profile and lower cost is designed, featuring an insulative housing with a first set of nonelastic contacts and a second set of elastic differential contacts for high-speed signal transfer, along with a substrate and wires for forming electrical connections, allowing compatibility with standard USB receptacles while accommodating additional contacts for higher data rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-speed serial bus interfaces like PCI Express and SATA are used to achieve higher data transmission rates, then data transmission rate is improved, but connector size and device complexity increase making them unsuitable for miniaturized electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two distinct contact sets: a first set of nonelastic contacts for standard USB connectivity and a second set of elastic differential contacts for high-speed data transmission. This segmentation allows each contact set to be optimized for its specific function while sharing the same connector housing, thereby achieving high data transmission rates without increasing overall connector size.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to perform multiple functions through its two contact sets: it can operate as a standard USB connector for basic connectivity and simultaneously provide high-speed serial bus interface capabilities for enhanced data transmission. This multi-functionality allows a single connector to replace both standard USB and high-speed interfaces, eliminating the need for larger, dedicated high-speed connectors.
2Speed
If additional contacts are added to achieve higher data rates, then data transmission rate is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector utilizes parameter changes in contact elasticity to differentiate functionality: nonelastic contacts for standard USB and elastic differential contacts for high-speed transmission. This parameter-based differentiation allows for simplified manufacturing processes compared to adding entirely separate connectors, as the elastic contacts can be integrated into the same housing using modified but not fundamentally different manufacturing techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector (100) comprises an insulative housing (2) extending in a front-to-back direction, a first set of contacts (3) held in the insulative housing each comprising a nonelastic contact portion (35), a second set of contacts (40) held in the insulative housing and comprising at least one pair of differential contacts (41) held in the insulative housing for transferring high-speed signals, a substrate (8) assembled to the insulative housing, and a plurality of first and second wires (5). Each of the second set of contacts comprises an elastic contact portion (41) located behind the nonelastic contact portion along the front-to-back direction. The substrate forms a plurality of first contact-connecting pads (81) and second contact-connecting pads (82) on a front end thereof to be soldered with the first and second sets of the contacts, and a plurality of first wire-connecting pads (83) and second wire-connecting pads (84) on a rear end thereof. The first and second wires are soldered with the first and second wire-connecting pads to form electrical connection with the first and second sets of the contacts. At least two second wires are soldered to a single second wire-connecting pad of the substrate to form electrical connection with a single second set of contact.