Electrical Connector Grounding Layout for Resonance Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in optimizing resonance and signal integrity due to resonance within the connector, which is not adequately addressed by conventional methods such as material substitution or structural alterations of the grounding member, leading to suboptimal performance and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes a grounding member configuration where one of the two closest ground terminals in each pair is electrically connected, while the other is electrically isolated, optimizing resonance by adjusting the resonant frequency outside the target range and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a metal grounding member is used to serially connect all ground terminals, then the shielding effect is enhanced and noise between signal terminals is reduced, but resonance within the electrical connector increases and signal integrity performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding member is segmented into multiple independent grounding units, each corresponding to a signal terminal group. Each grounding unit is independently connected to ground terminals without serial connections between units, dividing the unified grounding system into separate segments that prevent resonance while maintaining shielding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Each grounding unit is locally optimized to provide shielding for its corresponding signal terminal group. The grounding units have different configurations (different widths, positions, and connection patterns) tailored to the specific requirements of each signal terminal group, allowing localized control over shielding and resonance characteristics.
2Reliability
If the material of the metal grounding member is substituted with conductive plastic or the width and thickness are altered, then resonance optimization is attempted, but manufacturing cost increases and internal structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes resonance by changing geometric parameters of the grounding member (width, thickness, position of grounding units) rather than changing material properties. The grounding member maintains a consistent metal material while varying dimensional parameters to achieve resonance control, avoiding the need for complex material substitutions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the grounding member more complex (changing materials or adding structures) to reduce resonance, the patent inverts the approach by using a simpler segmented structure with consistent material that achieves resonance optimization through strategic placement and configuration of grounding units.
3Reliability
If the width and thickness of the metal grounding member are altered, then resonance is addressed, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding member is divided into multiple grounding units that can be manufactured as standardized components. This segmentation allows for efficient manufacturing processes and reduces overall manufacturing cost compared to producing a single complex grounding member with varying width and thickness throughout.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a row of terminals including at least four terminal groups. Each terminal group is formed by a ground terminal and a pair of differential signal terminals or a single-ended signal terminal located at a side of the ground terminal, and along the left-right direction, the ground terminal and the pair of differential signal terminals or the single-ended signal terminal are arranged in an identical sequential order, and no ground terminal exists between each two of the terminal groups; and a grounding member. In the two ground terminals of each two of the terminal groups closest to each other, one of the two ground terminals is in electrical contact with the grounding member, and the other of the two ground terminals is electrically isolated from the grounding member, thereby optimizing the resonance and reducing the noise and interference.