Electrical Connector Ground Partition Wall for Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face challenges in effectively reducing crosstalk between signal contacts due to inadequate partitioning, which affects the reliability and efficiency of electrical connections in connector devices.
Innovation Solution
The connector design incorporates a ground contact that extends perpendicular to the arrangement direction, forming a partition wall between signal contacts, utilizing multiple partition portions to enhance insulation and reduce crosstalk, with conductive materials and structures like metallic thin plates and insulating housings to stabilize the ground contact's potential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If signal contacts are arranged closely to increase connection density, then productivity and space utilization are improved, but crosstalk between adjacent signal contacts increases
Solution Approach 1:
A ground contact is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between adjacent signal contacts. This ground contact acts as a mediator that electrically shields the signal contacts from each other, reducing electromagnetic interference and crosstalk while allowing the signal contacts to maintain close spacing for high connection density.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional zones by introducing ground contacts that partition the space between signal contacts. This segmentation creates isolated electromagnetic zones for each signal contact, preventing interference while maintaining overall compactness and high density.
2Reliability
If ground contacts are added between signal contacts to reduce crosstalk, then signal integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground contact is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic shielding between signal contacts, establishes a reference potential plane, and serves as a mechanical support element. This merging of functions reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each ground contact is designed as a multi-functional element that provides electrical shielding, mechanical support, and potential reference plane functionality. This universal design approach allows a single component to address multiple requirements, reducing overall connector complexity despite the addition of ground contacts.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If partition walls are extended perpendicular to the arrangement direction to improve shielding, then crosstalk reduction is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex three-dimensional partition walls that extend perpendicular to the signal contact arrangement, the design inverts the approach by using ground contacts that extend in the same plane as the signal contacts. This inverted configuration achieves effective shielding through electromagnetic field management rather than physical barriers, significantly simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces complex mechanical partition walls with an electromagnetic field-based shielding approach using ground contacts. This substitution eliminates the need for intricate three-dimensional structures, allowing for simpler manufacturing processes while maintaining effective crosstalk reduction through proper grounding and field containment.
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 effectively reduces crosstalk and enhances the reliability of electrical connections by providing robust partitioning and stabilizing the ground contact's potential, improving the overall performance of the connector device.
Implementation Method 1
a ground contact including a ground connection portion configured to be connected to a ground conductor of the circuit board and a ground contact portion configured to contact a mate ground contact of the mate connector, and wherein the ground contact is located between the first signal contact and the second signal contact and extends to be perpendicular to the arrangement direction to form a partition wall between a first region including the first signal contact and a second region including the second signal contact
Data Source
AI summary
A connector including: an insulating housing including a facing surface configured to face a circuit board; and a plurality of conductive contacts held by the insulating housing to align along an arrangement direction parallel to the facing surface, wherein the plurality of conductive contacts include: a first signal contact configured to be connected to a first signal conductor of the circuit board; a second signal contact configured to be connected to a second signal conductor of the circuit board; and a ground contact configured to be connected to a ground conductor of the circuit board, and wherein the ground contact is located between the first signal contact and the second signal contact and extends to be perpendicular to the arrangement direction to form a partition wall between the first signal contact and the second signal contact.