Ground Bus Bar Spring Contacts Electrical Connector Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed electrical connector systems face significant electrical interference, such as cross-talk and resonant frequency noise, due to the complexity of aligning and controlling normal forces between ground contacts and ground tie bars, which can lead to misalignment and corrosion issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a ground bus bar with spring contacts that electrically common ground contacts within the mating zone, reducing interference by engaging mating ground contacts without interfering with signal contacts and maintaining proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ground tie bars are added to electrically connect ground contacts, then electrical interference is reduced, but alignment control and normal force management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ground bus bar integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides electrical connection between ground contacts, acts as a structural support element, and defines part of the mating interface geometry. This merging eliminates the need for separate ground tie bars while maintaining the electrical interference reduction benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground bus bar serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it electrically commones ground contacts, provides mechanical support for the socket assembly, defines the mating interface geometry, and contributes to the overall structural rigidity of the connector housing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ground tie bars are positioned close to the mating zone, then resonance frequency is increased, but normal forces between contacts are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The ground bus bar is positioned in the rearward direction away from the mating zone, utilizing the depth dimension of the housing. This spatial repositioning allows the electrical connection function to be performed at a location that does not interfere with the normal force application at the contact interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection function is separated from the contact interface zone. The ground bus bar provides electrical commoning at a location distinct from where normal forces are applied, allowing independent optimization of both functions without mutual interference.
3Device complexity
If ground tie bars are assembled into the plug connector, then alignment control is simplified, but contact points are farther from the mating interface
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the ground connection component in the plug connector as is conventional, the ground bus bar is integrated into the receptacle connector. This inversion allows the electrical connection point to be positioned optimally close to the mating interface while maintaining alignment control through the integrated housing structure.
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 effectively reduces electrical interference, enhances signal transmission performance, and prevents corrosion by ensuring proper alignment and force distribution during connector mating.
Implementation Method 1
The ground bus bar includes spring contacts that extend into the socket and are configured to engage corresponding mating ground contacts of the mating connector to electrically common the mating ground contacts.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a housing, signal contacts and ground contacts, and a ground bus bar. The housing has a first side wall and a second side wall that define a socket at the front end of the housing. The socket is configured to receive a mating connector therein. The signal and ground contacts are held in the housing and interspersed along at least one of the first or second side wall. The signal and ground contacts extend into the socket to mate with corresponding mating signal contacts and mating ground contacts, respectively, of the mating connector. The ground bus bar is coupled to the housing at the first side wall of the socket. The ground bus bar includes spring contacts that extend into the socket and are configured to engage corresponding mating ground contacts of the mating connector to electrically common the mating ground contacts.