Grounded Connector Assembly for High-Frequency Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors in the telecommunication industry, such as MCIO connectors, have complex components and manufacturing processes, leading to high costs and complications, particularly in forming shielding cases for improved high-frequency characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly comprising a board-end connector with an outer shell, insulated housing, and conductive body, and a cable-end connector with a flexible parallel cable, where grounding conduction portions establish electrical connections through elastic pieces and a conductive body to form a complete grounding loop, ensuring proper noise grounding and signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shielding case is configured on the conductive plastic member or cable to improve high frequency characteristics, then the high frequency characteristics are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes relatively complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the shielding function directly into the conductive body structure itself, merging the shielding case function with the conductive housing. The conductive body is designed with conductive portions that form the shielding structure, eliminating the need for separate shielding case components and their complex manufacturing processes, while still providing effective high frequency signal shielding
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the connector, establishes electrical connections through elastic pieces, and provides electromagnetic shielding for high frequency signals. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate shielding components, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining shielding effectiveness
2Reliability
If the cable is welded with the PCB in the cable-end connector, then the electrical connection is established, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/mechanical system) with a mechanical insertion system. The cable-end connector is designed with a plug that mechanically inserts into the board-end connector, establishing electrical connections through contact pins and receptacles without requiring welding operations, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliable electrical connections
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into separate modular components: the cable-end connector with its plug and the board-end connector with receptacles. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently and assembled through simple insertion, replacing the complex integrated welding process and enabling easier manufacturing and assembly
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 effectively grounds noises and prevents signal interference by forming a complete grounding loop, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining high-frequency signal transmission capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The outer shell has a plurality of first elastic pieces and a plurality of second elastic pieces. The first elastic pieces extend from two sides of the frame opening portion toward an interior of the frame opening portion
Implementation Method 2
each of the grounding conduction portions contacts a corresponding one of the first elastic pieces to allow an electrical connection among the flexible parallel cable, the outer shell, the conductive body, and the ground terminals to be established
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a board-end connector and a cable-end connector. The board-end connector includes an outer shell and an insulated housing, a terminal module, and a conductive body in the outer shell. The outer shell includes a cover plate and a frame opening portion and has first elastic pieces and second elastic pieces. The insulated housing has a receiving cavity and an insertion opening. The terminal module includes ground terminals and pairs of signal terminals. The conductive body includes a main body and third elastic pieces. The main body is connected to the second elastic pieces, and each of the third elastic pieces is connected to a corresponding one of the ground terminals. The cable-end connector includes a flexible parallel cable and a plug, and two surfaces of the flexible parallel cable include grounding conduction portions.