Connector Pin Geometry for Lower Insertion Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector configurations experience signal degradation and insertion loss due to manufacturing and fitting tolerances, which can lead to contact pin misalignment with electrode pads, especially at high frequencies like 200 Gbps or higher, as the longer fitting length required to ensure contact increases signal reflection and loss.
Innovation Solution
The connector design incorporates contact pins with curved parts and straight beam parts that allow direct signal transmission to the electrode, reducing the impact of tolerances by positioning the beam parts closer to the electrode and optimizing their angle and distance for efficient high-frequency signal transfer, thereby minimizing insertion loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fitting length of the electrode pad is increased to ensure contact pin alignment with electrode pads considering manufacturing and fitting tolerances, then the reliability of contact is improved, but the insertion loss increases due to signal reflection at the free end of the electrode pad
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary to enable wireless power transfer and signal transmission between the transmitter and receiver coils, eliminating the need for direct physical contact through long electrode pads. This mediator approach allows energy transfer without the signal reflection issues associated with long conductive paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based electrical connection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless power transfer system. By using magnetic coupling between coils instead of direct electrical contact through long electrode pads, the system eliminates insertion loss while maintaining reliable energy transfer
2Device complexity
If the dimension of each component is designed without taking manufacturing tolerance into consideration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the contact pin may be out of contact with the electrode pad
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates tolerance compensation into the coil and electrode pad design, creating a buffer zone that accounts for manufacturing variations. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even with dimensional variations, the magnetic coupling and electrical contact remain reliable without requiring overly complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as coil diameter, turn density, and electrode pad dimensions to achieve robust performance across the expected range of manufacturing tolerances. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves reliability without excessive complexity
3Loss of energy
If the fitting length is designed shorter to suppress signal degradation, then the insertion loss is reduced, but the likelihood of the contact pin failing to come into contact with the electrode pad increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact system with a magnetic field-based wireless power transfer system. This substitution eliminates the fundamental trade-off between fitting length and insertion loss by using electromagnetic coupling instead of direct electrical contact through long conductive paths
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that transfers energy without requiring long physical conductors. This mediator approach allows the system to achieve low insertion loss while maintaining reliable energy transfer without the signal reflection problems inherent in long electrode pads
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 design reduces insertion loss by ensuring reliable contact and efficient high-frequency signal transmission, even with tolerances considered, by directly transmitting signals from the beam parts to the electrodes without routing through contact points, thus maintaining performance at high frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
a portion on the tip side from fixing parts between a housing and the contact pins 321, 331 is elastically deformed, thereby the spacing between the upper contact pin 321 and the lower contact pin 331 increases
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a connector and a connector assembly that can reduce an insertion loss. A connector is configured such that a substrate is inserted along an insertion-extraction direction in a region between a first pin group and a second pin group. The contact pins each have: a curved part, curved convex toward the region and including a contact point contacted with an electrode pad of the substrate; and a straight first beam part, having a tip which is connected to a base end of the curved part, and a base end which is bent so as to be spaced away from the region.