Grounded Shielding Structure for High-Speed Electrical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed electrical connectors fail to meet the signal integrity performance requirements for next-generation connectors, such as PCIe Gen6, due to signal distortion and energy loss issues.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design includes an outer housing, insulating housing, terminal assemblies with signal and ground terminals, and a shielding member that provides electrical contact with the ground terminal, effectively reducing signal interference by positioning the shielding member between terminal assemblies and grounding it to enhance signal shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing high-speed connector designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but signal integrity performance is insufficient for PCIe Gen6 requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple terminal assemblies, each containing separate signal terminals and ground terminals. The shielding member is segmented into multiple shielding portions, each corresponding to different signal terminals. This segmentation allows independent optimization of shielding for each signal path, improving overall signal integrity while maintaining modular manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
A shielding member is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent signal terminals and between signal terminals and ground terminals. This shielding member includes conductive portions that electrically connect to ground terminals, creating an intermediate protective barrier that reduces electromagnetic coupling and crosstalk without requiring fundamental redesign of the connector architecture.
2Reliability
If shielding members are added between terminal assemblies, then signal coupling and crosstalk are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member is merged with the terminal assembly structure, where the shielding portions are integrated into the same housing that holds the signal and ground terminals. The contact arms of the shielding member are combined with the terminal contacts, allowing simultaneous connection to ground terminals during a single assembly process, thereby reducing manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member serves multiple functions: it provides electromagnetic shielding between adjacent signal terminals, shields signal terminals from ground terminals, and maintains mechanical positioning between terminal assemblies. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the added shielding capability.
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 configuration significantly improves signal integrity by reducing signal coupling and crosstalk, meeting the requirements for PCIe Gen6 and enabling higher speed data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The shielding member is positioned at least partially between the two terminal assemblies in the first direction and includes a contact arm in electrical contact with the ground terminal
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector comprises an outer housing, an insulating housing installed on the outer housing, a pair of terminal assemblies, and a shielding member. The terminal assemblies are installed in the insulating housing and are spaced apart from each other in a first direction to define an insertion space therebetween adapted to receive a connection terminal of a mating connector. Each terminal assembly includes a plurality of conductive terminals arranged in rows in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The plurality of conductive terminals of each terminal assembly include a signal terminal and a ground terminal. The shielding member is positioned at least partially between the two terminal assemblies in the first direction and includes a contact arm in electrical contact with the ground terminal.