Electro-Optical Connector Height Reduction via Horizontal Wiring and Shell Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electro-optical composite connectors face challenges in reducing height while maintaining effective signal transmission and preventing electromagnetic interference, due to their design which requires a certain height for fitting and grounding, leading to issues with electromagnetic waves leakage and poor contact reliability.
Innovation Solution
The electro-optical composite connector design features a plug connector with a fitting recess portion and a receptacle connector with compression terminals, where the wiring is exposed and contacts the receptacle terminal upon fitting, and includes a grounding surface on the module board for electrical connection, along with spring contact legs and cut-out tongues to secure the module board, reducing the overall height and enhancing contact reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the connector uses a conventional fitting design with connector terminals arranged vertically, then the fitting structure is simple, but the height dimension increases and electromagnetic interference prevention becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical arrangement of connector terminals to a horizontal arrangement where wiring is exposed on the fitting surface. This dimensional change allows the wiring to be positioned at the forefront of the fitting, enabling low-profile mounting while maintaining effective electromagnetic shielding through the plug shell covering the wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug shell acts as an intermediary shielding structure that covers the exposed wiring on the fitting surface. This intermediary element prevents electromagnetic interference while allowing the wiring to maintain its low-profile horizontal arrangement, solving both the height reduction and EMI prevention requirements simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the connector terminals are arranged to contact vertically, then the contact structure is simple, but contact reliability deteriorates due to poor fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spring contact legs with elastic properties that can dynamically adapt to fitting variations. These spring-loaded terminals maintain reliable electrical contact by exerting continuous contact force, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations without requiring complex precision fitting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the contact mechanism from rigid vertical contact to elastic spring-based contact. By introducing elasticity as a key parameter, the system achieves reliable electrical connection through force-based contact rather than precision geometric alignment, thereby improving reliability while managing structural complexity.
3Length of moving object
If the connector uses a conventional grounding structure, then the grounding path is established, but the height dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the grounding function from a vertical structure to a horizontal arrangement where the plug shell itself serves as the grounding path. The shell covers the exposed wiring and provides electromagnetic shielding and grounding in the horizontal plane, eliminating the need for tall vertical grounding structures.
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 allows for a low-profile electro-optical composite connector that effectively reduces electromagnetic interference and ensures reliable electrical contact, enabling efficient signal transmission while minimizing the connector's height and component count.
Implementation Method 1
spring contact legs to secure the module board
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving/emitting element mounted on one surface of the second board
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optical composite connector includes a receptacle connector including a receptacle housing to be mounted on a first board, a receptacle shell for covering the receptacle housing, and a receptacle terminal arranged on the receptacle housing; and a plug connector including a plug housing for holding an optical fiber, a plug shell for covering the plug housing, and an optical module to be connected to the optical fiber. The optical module includes a second board; a light receiving/emitting element mounted on one surface of the second board; at least one of a plug terminal and a land mounted on the one surface of the second board for transmitting a signal relative to the receptacle terminal; and a grounding surface formed on the other surface of the second board opposite to the one surface. The grounding surface is electrically connected to an inner wall of the plug shell.