Floatable Cable Connector With Integral Wall Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density cabled backplane systems face challenges in maintaining signal integrity and ensuring reliable connections due to manufacturing tolerances and space constraints, leading to incorrect positioning and susceptibility to disengagement of cable connectors.
Innovation Solution
The integration of wall springs formed from the material of the sidewall within the cable connector assembly and tray, which provide a biasing force to resiliently flex and facilitate accurate mating and positioning of cable connectors, reducing the likelihood of incorrect positioning and enhancing manufacturing tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cable connectors are positioned along an elongated leading edge of the tray sidewall, then a large number of cable connectors can be accommodated in high-density systems, but manufacturing tolerances and warping cause incorrect positioning and susceptibility to disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connector is made floatable through the integration of a wall spring that allows the connector to move dynamically during mating operations. This dynamic capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances and positioning errors, enabling accurate engagement even when the connector is not precisely positioned along the elongated leading edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall spring changes the mechanical state of the cable connector from fixed to floating by introducing elastic deformation. When the connector is pushed during mating, the wall spring compresses and then rebounds, providing a biasing force that ensures proper engagement and maintains connection reliability despite positioning variations.
2Reliability
If separate biasing mechanisms are used to permit cable connector floating, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase due to multiple small components
Solution Approach 1:
The wall spring is formed integrally from the material of the tray sidewall, merging the biasing mechanism with the structural component. This eliminates the need for separate biasing assemblies and multiple small components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the floating capability and connection reliability of the cable connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall spring is formed directly from the sidewall material itself, allowing the structural component to provide the biasing function. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external or separate biasing mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If high-density stacking of trays is implemented to save space, then space utilization is improved, but access to cable connectors and spacer bodies becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing function is extracted from separate components and integrated directly into the sidewall structure through the wall spring. This eliminates the need for accessible separate biasing mechanisms, allowing high-density stacking while maintaining the floating capability of cable connectors through the built-in wall spring integration.
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 improves signal integrity and reliability by allowing cable connectors to float and adjust during mating operations, ensuring consistent engagement and reducing the risk of disengagement, while also simplifying assembly and reducing the size and cost of the cable connector assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The wall spring is configured to resiliently flex from a relaxed condition to a compressed condition to permit the cable connector to move during a mating operation
Implementation Method 2
The wall spring provides a biasing force to the cable connector in the mating direction when the wall spring is in the compressed condition
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector assembly including a cable connector having a mating side that faces in a mating direction. The mating side is configured to engage a mating connector. The cable connector assembly also includes a housing frame having a connector-receiving space that is partially defined by a sidewall. The cable connector is disposed in the connector-receiving space. The sidewall has a wall spring that is formed from material of the sidewall and that is coupled to the cable connector. The wall spring is configured to resiliently flex from a relaxed condition to a compressed condition to permit the cable connector to move during a mating operation. The wall spring provides a biasing force to the cable connector in the mating direction when the wall spring is in the compressed condition.