Flexible Cable Harness Shielding for Backplane Signal Integrity

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cable backplane systems face challenges with increased density and high-speed requirements, leading to signal integrity degradation and limited design flexibility due to fixed cabled tray configurations, which restricts space for other hardware components and system architecture.

Innovation Solution

A cable backplane system with flexible cable harnesses and variably positionable connectors, allowing for precise alignment and shielding of cables, enabling improved signal performance and adaptability to different system architectures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional backplanes are used to interconnect connectors, then signal transmission is achieved, but signal integrity degrades as signals travel further along the channel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidchannel length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the traditional monolithic backplane into separate cable assemblies that connect midplanes. This segmentation reduces the effective channel length for signal transmission by breaking up long trace paths into shorter cable segments, thereby maintaining signal integrity while allowing physical separation of components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If cable assemblies are used to replace backplanes, then signal integrity is improved, but packaging and cable management become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidcable management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable tray structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it organizes and manages cables, provides mechanical support for connectors, enables configurable system architectures, and facilitates cable routing. This multi-functionality integrates what would otherwise be separate management functions into a single unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable tray system incorporates configurable and adjustable elements that allow the system architecture to be dynamically adapted to different requirements. The tray can be configured to support various connector arrangements and cable routing patterns, providing flexibility rather than a fixed static structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If dense cabled tray structures are used, then cable management is achieved, but assembly becomes difficult due to weight and size constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable managementVSAvoidcabled tray weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs flexible cable trays with thin-walled structures that provide the necessary cable management functionality without the weight of traditional rigid dense cabled trays. The flexible nature of the tray allows it to conform to different configurations while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If fixed configuration cabled trays are used, then connector positioning is simplified, but design flexibility for different system architectures is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector positioningVSAvoidsystem architecture flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cable tray system incorporates configurable and adjustable elements that allow the system architecture to be dynamically adapted to different requirements. The tray can be configured to support various connector arrangements and cable routing patterns, providing flexibility rather than a fixed static structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable tray structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it organizes and manages cables, provides mechanical support for connectors, enables configurable system architectures, and facilitates cable routing. This multi-functionality integrates what would otherwise be separate management functions into a single unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution enhances signal integrity and supports higher speeds with lower costs per channel, while providing design flexibility and increased space for other components within the system.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible shield provides electrical shielding for the cables

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS9412496B2Cable assembly for a cable backplane system

Publication Date: 2016.08.09 TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH

AI summary

A cable assembly for a cable backplane system includes a tray having a frame and spacer assemblies coupled to the frame that hold cable tray connectors in fixed positions relative to the frame. Each cable tray connector has a housing holding a plurality of contacts and cables extending rearward from the corresponding housing. The housings are configured to be received in corresponding openings in a backplane of the cable backplane system. A flexible cable harness extends from the tray. The flexible cable harness has a flexible shield electrically coupled to the frame and a harness connector electrically connected to at least one corresponding cable tray connector. At least some of the cables are routed from the tray through the flexible shield to the harness connector. The flexible shield provides electrical shielding for the cables. The harness connector is variably positionable relative to the tray.