Divider Shields for Electrical Connector Crosstalk Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical connectors face challenges in minimizing crosstalk, achieving high-speed and high-density connections, and reducing manufacturing costs, particularly due to increased signal frequencies and complex signal path requirements.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a conductive shield plate with signal conductors and a separate divider shield made of conductive metal, which increases metal presence around the contact region to reduce crosstalk and is manufactured separately to lower costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If signal paths are spaced farther apart and nearer to the shield plate to reduce crosstalk, then electromagnetic coupling to the shield plate increases and crosstalk is reduced, but the connector density decreases and the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecrosstalkVSAvoidconnector density

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield plate is segmented into multiple sections by dividing shields positioned between adjacent signal paths. Each dividing shield creates an independent shielded region for each signal path, allowing signals to be spaced closer together while maintaining effective electromagnetic coupling to the shield plate, thus reducing crosstalk without sacrificing connector density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Dividing shields are introduced as intermediary conductive elements between adjacent signal paths and the main shield plate. These intermediaries enhance the electromagnetic coupling between each signal path and the shield plate, enabling reduced spacing between signals while maintaining effective shielding and minimizing crosstalk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional plastic containing conductive materials is used for shielding between signal paths, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the stiffness and shielding effectiveness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidshielding effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The solution employs a composite structure where metal dividing shields are integrated with the plastic housing. The metal dividing shields provide the necessary stiffness and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness, while the plastic housing provides structural support and electrical insulation. This composite approach achieves superior shielding performance compared to plastic alone, while the dividing shields can be manufactured and assembled separately to control costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If metal shields are used to provide shielding and stiffness, then shielding effectiveness and mechanical strength are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single integral metal shield, the shielding structure is segmented into the main shield plate and separate dividing shields. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components that can be produced using cost-effective processes and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining the shielding effectiveness and stiffness provided by metal construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If signal paths are arranged closer together for high-density connections, then connector density increases, but crosstalk increases and electromagnetic coupling to the shield plate must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector densityVSAvoidcrosstalk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield plate is divided into multiple sections by dividing shields positioned between adjacent signal paths. This segmentation creates independent electromagnetic shielding zones that allow signal paths to be spaced closer together for high density while each signal maintains effective electromagnetic coupling to its designated shield plate section, thereby minimizing crosstalk between adjacent signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration effectively minimizes crosstalk and reduces manufacturing costs by increasing the conductive metal content around the contact region, while maintaining mechanical durability and efficiency in high-speed data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention provides increased metal presence around the contact region of an electrical connector to minimize crosstalk

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS7651337B2Electrical connector with divider shields to minimize crosstalk

Publication Date: 2010.01.26 AMPHENOL CORP

AI summary

A wafer for an electrical connector includes a conductive shield plate, a plurality of signal conductors disposed on the shield plate, and a divider shield. Each of the plurality of signal conductors has at least one contact portion. The divider shield is disposed on the shield plate aligned with the at least one contact portion and is made of conductive metal. The divider shield is separate from and coupled to the shield plate.