Electrical Connector Resonance-Control Zone Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors experience unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) due to the resonance of energy in the stub portions of their contacts during high-speed data transmission, which can be costly to mitigate with shielding.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a resonance-control zone on the mating pin with a greater elevation than the wipe and mating zones, deflecting the other contact further away and reducing resonance, which can be achieved through embossed regions or flexible bow regions in the electrical contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding is added to contain electromagnetic interference from stub portions, then EMI is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful resonance effect into a beneficial damping effect by intentionally designing the stub portion to create controlled resonance that opposes and cancels the unwanted EMI resonance. This transforms the harmful electromagnetic phenomenon into a useful interference cancellation mechanism, reducing EMI without requiring costly shielding materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the electrical parameters of the stub portion by adjusting its length, impedance, and positioning to specific values that create the desired counter-resonance effect. By changing these parameters, the stub transforms from a source of EMI into an active element that suppresses electromagnetic interference through controlled electrical characteristics.
2Ease of operation
If the stub portion is extended to allow wiping action, then contact engagement is improved, but resonance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the length and impedance parameters of the stub portion to specific values that allow it to perform the wiping function while simultaneously creating counter-resonance. By carefully selecting these parameters, the stub achieves the dual function of mechanical engagement and electromagnetic interference suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The stub portion acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the mechanical wiping requirement and the electromagnetic resonance problem. It provides the necessary mechanical engagement distance while its specific electrical characteristics serve as a mediator to cancel out harmful resonance effects.
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 effectively dampens or impedes electrical resonance, reducing electromagnetic interference and potentially lowering manufacturing costs by minimizing the need for extensive shielding.
Implementation Method 1
During operation of the system, energy propagates from the mating zone to the contact end of the header contact where the energy is then reflected back toward the mating zone. At current transmission speeds the reflected energy may resonate
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of electrical contacts coupled to the connector housing. Each of the electrical contacts includes a base section coupled to the connector housing and an elongated mating pin coupled to the base section. The mating pin extends away from the base section along a longitudinal axis to a contact end of the mating pin. The mating pin has an exterior surface that forms a runway configured to intimately engage another contact during a mating operation. The runway includes a wipe zone, a resonance-control zone, and a mating zone. The resonance-control zone is located between the mating zone and the wipe zone. The resonance-control zone has a greater elevation than an elevation of the wipe zone and an elevation of the mating zone such that the resonance-control zone deflects the other contact further away during the mating operation.