Ground Termination Component Strain Relief Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of communication cables to electrical connectors is time-consuming and costly due to the need for multiple components and mechanical/electrical coupling, which can lead to disconnection or damage under significant forces during cable routing.
Innovation Solution
An electrical device with a ground termination component that includes a strain relief element, which is electrically coupled to the grounding element of the communication cable, providing mechanical and electrical connection while reducing the number of components required for assembly and protecting against forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components (ground busbar, ground contacts, separate strain relief) are used for cable assembly, then the electrical connection and mechanical protection are provided, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ground busbar, ground contacts, and strain relief elements into a single integrated ground termination component. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for each component, thereby increasing assembly speed while maintaining reliable electrical connection and mechanical protection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground termination component is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing electrical ground connection through ground contacts, offering mechanical strain relief through integrated elements, and ensuring stable mounting on the substrate. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and assembly operations required.
2Reliability
If traditional separate component assembly is used, then electrical coupling is achieved, but the number of components and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground busbar, ground contacts, and strain relief elements are merged into a single integrated component, reducing the number of separate parts from three to one. This integration maintains all necessary electrical coupling functions while simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated ground termination component is designed to perform multiple functions: electrical grounding, mechanical strain relief, and structural support. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If cable connection points are protected during assembly, then disconnection and damage are prevented, but additional components and assembly time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The strain relief elements are integrated directly into the ground termination component, forming a unified structure that provides mechanical protection at the cable connection points. This integration eliminates the need for separate strain relief components and their associated assembly steps, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining connection durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated strain relief elements are designed to provide mechanical protection and force distribution at the cable connection points before any damage can occur. This beforehand cushioning prevents disconnection and damage during cable routing and assembly operations without requiring additional protective components or time-consuming assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical device includes a substrate having a plurality of signal contacts and a ground contact along a surface of the substrate. A communication cable includes a differential pair of signal conductors, a grounding element that surrounds the signal conductors, and a cable jacket surrounding the signal conductors and the grounding element. Each of the signal conductors has a wire-terminating end that is terminated to a corresponding signal contact of the substrate, the wire-terminating end projecting beyond a jacket edge of the cable jacket. A ground termination component has a main panel electrically coupled with the ground contact, and a strain relief element engaged with at least a portion of the communication cable. The strain relief element includes a connective terminal electrically coupled to the grounding element.