Electrical Contact Anchoring Region Impedance Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Impedance mismatch between electrical connectors and complementary components leads to signal reflections, affecting the performance of electrical connector systems.
Innovation Solution
The design of electrical contacts with specific configurations, including elongate contact beams and anchoring regions with distinct portions and retention features, to improve impedance matching and retention within connector housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical contacts with simple anchoring regions are used, then manufacturing is easier and device complexity is lower, but impedance matching deteriorates causing signal reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring region is divided into multiple distinct portions (first anchoring portion, second anchoring portion, and intermediate portion) with different geometries and functions. Each portion is optimized for specific requirements: the first and second portions provide retention features for mechanical anchoring, while the intermediate portion with reduced width optimizes impedance characteristics, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural complexity and impedance matching.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the anchoring region are designed with locally optimized properties. The first and second anchoring portions have wider dimensions for mechanical retention, while the intermediate portion has a reduced width specifically optimized for impedance control. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve both mechanical retention and electrical performance without requiring overall structural complexity.
2Strength
If anchoring region width is increased to improve mechanical retention, then retention strength is improved, but impedance characteristics deteriorate due to larger surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring region is segmented into portions with different widths along its length. The first and second anchoring portions have larger widths optimized for mechanical retention strength, while the intermediate portion has a reduced width optimized for impedance characteristics. This segmentation allows each portion to independently optimize for its primary function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The width of the anchoring region is locally varied along its length rather than being uniform. The first and second portions have locally increased width for mechanical strength, while the intermediate portion has locally reduced width for impedance optimization. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction by allowing different sections to have different optimized properties.
3Reliability
If uniform width anchoring region is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but impedance control and retention performance both deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring region is divided into distinct segments (first anchoring portion, intermediate portion, second anchoring portion) with different width characteristics. This segmentation enables optimized impedance control through the intermediate portion while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through defined geometric transitions between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The width parameter of the anchoring region is changed along its length rather than remaining uniform. The first and second portions have larger width values for retention, while the intermediate portion has a reduced width value for impedance control. These parameter variations are designed to be manufacturable through standard fabrication processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical contact for an electrical connector includes a body having a mounting end and a mating end, a contact beam, and an anchoring region. The contact beam includes first and second edges that are laterally spaced from one another, and first and second broadsides that extend between the first and second edges. The anchoring region includes first, second, and intermediate portions. The first portion extends from the contact beam towards the mounting end, and has a first side that is spaced laterally outwards from the first edge. The second portion extends from the mounting end towards the first portion, and has a first side that is spaced laterally outwards from the first edge. The intermediate portion extends between the first portion and the second portion, and has a first side that is recessed laterally inwards from the first sides of the first and second portions.