Electrical Connector Ground Frame for Signal Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mezzanine electrical connectors face challenges in signal performance due to non-electrically commoned ground shields along the connector length, leading to electrical interference and compromised signal integrity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with ground shields and a ground frame that electrically joins the ground shields across the connector, providing 360° shielding around signal contacts and ensuring electrical commoning along the connector length to improve signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ground shields are used to shield individual contacts or contact pairs, then electrical shielding for contacts is improved, but signal integrity deteriorates due to lack of electrical commoning along the beam length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ground shields into a single electrically commoned ground frame structure. The ground frame combines the functions of multiple ground shields while providing electrical commoning along the entire beam length, eliminating the harmful electrical interference that occurs when ground shields are not electrically commoned.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground frame is designed to establish electrical commoning along the beam length before signals are transmitted. This preliminary electrical commoning prevents electrical interference from affecting signal integrity during operation, rather than attempting to correct interference issues after they occur.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mezzanine connectors are used to interconnect circuit boards, then connectivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple contacts individually loaded into housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple contacts and ground shields into a single integrated ground frame assembly. This merging reduces the number of individual components that need to be loaded into the housing, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the connectivity functionality of multiple mezzanine connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical commoning, shields multiple contact pairs, and simplifies assembly. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate ground shields for each contact pair.
3Force
If deflectable spring beams with long beam lengths are used, then required spring force and deformation range are achieved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spring beam contacts into an integrated ground frame structure with ground shields. This merging reduces the total number of individual spring beams that need to be manufactured and assembled, while the ground frame itself provides the necessary spring force and deformation range for reliable electrical connection.
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 configuration enhances signal performance by reducing electrical interference and improving the overall electrical performance of the connectors.
Implementation Method 1
The ground frame engages the ground shields to electrically join the ground shields
Implementation Method 2
The ground shields at least partially surround the contacts to provide electrical shielding for the contacts
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a housing, contacts, ground shields, and a ground frame. The housing extends between a front end and an opposite rear end. The front end is configured to be mated with a mating connector. The contacts and ground shields are held by the housing. The ground shields at least partially surround the contacts to provide electrical shielding for the contacts. The ground frame has a first side coupled to the rear end of the housing and a second side facing the circuit board. The contacts have terminating ends and the ground shields have mounting ends. The terminating ends and the mounting ends extend from the rear end of the housing through the ground frame for termination to the circuit board. The ground frame engages the ground shields to electrically join the ground shields.