Connector Conductive Protrusions for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices that perform high-speed wired communications often generate noise that interferes with nearby wireless communications, such as LAN or Bluetooth, degrading their quality.

Innovation Solution

The connector includes electrically conductive protrusions at the distal end of the housing, which are connected to reference members to reduce noise emission by providing a path for noise to be grounded, thereby minimizing interference with wireless communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high-speed wired communication is performed, then communication speed is improved, but noise emission increases and interferes with wireless communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidnoise emission
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the noise emission problem by providing a dedicated grounding path through protrusions that extend from the housing. These protrusions capture and channel the noise generated by high-speed wired communication away from the wireless communication components, effectively separating the harmful noise path from the wireless signal path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions act as an intermediary element between the wired communication interface and the housing. They provide a controlled path for noise to reach the housing, preventing direct noise emission into the wireless communication environment while maintaining the functionality of both wired and wireless communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If noise reduction measures are added to the connector, then noise emission is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise emissionVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of implementing noise reduction throughout the entire connector, the patent applies the noise reduction function locally through protrusions at specific locations on the housing. This localized approach reduces noise emission effectively while adding minimal structural complexity only where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are designed as simple extensions of the housing structure, utilizing the existing housing material and form factor. This approach adds noise reduction functionality without requiring separate complex components or assemblies, maintaining simplicity in the overall connector design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The solution effectively reduces noise emission from the connector, enhancing the quality of wireless communications by providing a reliable noise reduction mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The connector (10) includes electrically conductive protrusions (14, 15) at a distal end of the housing (13), which are held in contact with reference members (21, 22) to reduce noise emission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3229327B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP3229327B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3229327B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3229327B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an electronic device including: a connector configured to connect to another electronic device via a wired communication link; and a reference member whose potential is maintained at a constant level, wherein the connector includes a housing which houses connection terminals therein, and an electrically conductive protrusion joined to at least a distal end portion of the housing, the electrically conductive protrusion including at least a portion which is elastic, and electrically connected to the reference member.