Floating Board-to-Board Connector Shielding for Vibration Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing board-to-board connectors face challenges in providing high-frequency signal transmission and high-current power transmission in harsh environments while accommodating manufacturing and assembly variations, vibrations, and interference, with a need for improved structural stability and electromagnetic interference protection.
Innovation Solution
A floating electrical connector system with movable inner and outer housing bodies, elastic shielding members, and board locks that maintain contact despite relative movements, forming a holistic shielding system to ensure stable grounding and interference reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed rigid housing structure is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to assembly variations and vibrations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a floating housing structure where the inner housing can move relative to the outer housing, transforming the rigid fixed structure into a dynamic adaptable system. This allows the connector to accommodate assembly variations and vibrations while maintaining reliable electrical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into separate inner and outer housing components that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each housing part to respond differently to external forces and assembly variations, improving overall adaptability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shielding structures are used, then electromagnetic interference protection is provided, but structural stability under vibration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member is integrated with the floating housing structure, combining the EMI shielding function with the vibration compensation mechanism. The shielding member moves together with the inner housing, maintaining both protection and structural stability under vibrational conditions.
3Measurement precision
If tight tolerance mating is used, then signal transmission quality is improved, but reliability under vibration and thermal expansion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The floating terminal assembly allows for dynamic adjustment of terminal positions, maintaining optimal signal transmission quality while accommodating vibrations and thermal expansion through controlled movement rather than rigid fixed positioning.
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 system enables reliable operation over a range of mating heights, accommodating ±1.0 mm tolerance, and meets PCIe Gen 4.0 signal transmission requirements with enhanced structural stability and electromagnetic interference protection.
Implementation Method 1
a shielding member comprising a shielding body, and an elastic arm extending from the shielding body into the space of the board lock body to engage the contact portion of the board lock
Data Source
AI summary
High-performance board-to-board connectors. A connector system includes first and second connectors configured to mate with each other. Each connector includes signal terminals capable of satisfying PCIe Gen 4.0's signal transmission requirements at 16 Gbps, and power terminals capable of carrying a current of 13.75 A. Each connector also includes a housing with outer and inner bodies, and a shielding member disposed outside the inner body to surround the terminal mating ends. The shielding members are configured to contact each other. For the second connector, the inner body is movable relative to the outer body in a plane perpendicular to a mating direction. The terminals are configured to expand and contract in the mating direction and to move transversely relative to the mating direction along with the inner body. The shielding member comprises elastic arms that are movable relative to a board lock and configured to maintain contact with the board lock.