Flex-X Module Board-Mounted Baluns for Dual-Signal Jack Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cross-connect systems face challenges in providing a versatile and efficient jack assembly that can seamlessly interface with both standard twisted pair and coaxial signal lines, while ensuring secure mounting and easy removal of jacks, and maintaining electrical connectivity.
Innovation Solution
The jack assembly features a dielectric jack body with conductive tip and ring springs, a resilient retaining member for secure mounting, and a rear interface assembly with dual circuit boards and baluns to accommodate both twisted pair and coaxial signals, allowing a single universal jack mount to interface with different signal types through dual compliant pins and coaxial connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single jack assembly is designed to interface with both twisted pair and coaxial signal lines, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to dual circuit boards and baluns
Solution Approach 1:
The jack assembly is designed with dual circuit boards and baluns that enable a single universal jack mount to interface with both twisted pair and coaxial signal lines. The first circuit board handles twisted pair connections while the second circuit board with baluns handles coaxial connections, allowing the same physical jack assembly to serve multiple signal types without requiring separate assemblies for each interface type.
2Reliability
If a resilient retaining member is used to secure the jack within the jack mount, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the force required for insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient retaining member is designed to be dynamically movable between a first position where it retains the jack securely within the jack mount, and a second position where it releases the jack for removal. The resilience of the member allows it to flex during insertion and removal operations, reducing the force required while maintaining secure retention during normal operation.
3Reliability
If dual compliant pins are used to connect circuit boards, then reliability of electrical connection is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dual compliant pins are designed with compliance features that allow them to adjust their position within a range, accommodating variations in alignment that occur during manufacturing and assembly. This parameter adjustment capability maintains reliable electrical connections between the circuit boards without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances for pin placement.
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 solution enables a single jack assembly to efficiently handle both twisted pair and coaxial signals, ensuring secure electrical connections and easy interchangeability, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient retaining member moveable between a first position in which the retaining member is adapted to retain the jack within the jack mount, and a second position in which the jack can be inserted into or removed from the jack mount
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of baluns mounted on the circuit board and supported by the dielectric support, wherein the baluns are electrically connected to the coaxial connectors
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a jack assembly including a jack mount for slidably receiving a jack that includes a plurality of conductive tip and ring springs. When plugs are received, the tip springs make electrical contact with tip contacts of the plugs and the ring springs make electrical contact with ring contacts of the plugs. When plugs are not received, the tip and ring springs make contact with normal contacts of the jack. The jack assembly also includes cross-connect contacts and a rear interface assembly. The rear interface assembly includes a dielectric support and a plurality of coaxial connectors projecting outwardly therefrom away from the jack mount. A circuit board is positioned between the jack mount and the dielectric support. The coaxial connectors are electrically connected to baluns mounted on a second circuit board mounted within the dielectric support. The second board is electrically connected to the first board by dual compliant pins. Electrical connections are established between the coaxial connectors and the tip and ring springs when the rear interface assembly is secured to the jack mount.