Header Connector With Air Pockets For Impedance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backplane connector systems are limited in ruggedness and signal integrity, particularly in high shock and vibration environments, and lack adequate protection against electrostatic discharge and interference.
Innovation Solution
The development of connector systems with varying degrees of ruggedness, including plastic, shielded, and rugged connectors, featuring interchangeable modules with electrical shielding and machined metal frames, which provide enhanced mechanical and electrical protection while maintaining high-speed signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional plastic connector housing is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but shielding benefits are limited and protection from electrostatic discharge is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing uses a composite construction combining plastic and metal elements. The plastic housing provides ease of manufacture and cost benefits, while integrated metal shielding elements provide electrostatic discharge protection and electromagnetic shielding. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.
2Device complexity
If connector systems are designed for office environments, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but ruggedness in high shock and vibration environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates pre-engineered features to withstand shock and vibration before they occur. The metal housing and reinforced contact structures provide inherent protection against environmental stresses, allowing the connector to maintain reliability in rugged environments without adding excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If keying features are provided to maintain signal integrity, then signal integrity is improved, but connector orientation is constrained and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design uses standardized keying features that serve multiple functions: maintaining signal integrity through proper contact alignment and providing mechanical orientation guidance. This universal approach allows the same connector design to be used in various orientations and applications, reducing the need for multiple specialized connector types.
4Ease of manufacture
If primarily plastic housing construction is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but shielding benefits are limited and mechanical protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing combines plastic and metal materials to achieve both ease of manufacture and mechanical strength. The plastic portions provide cost-effective manufacturing and electrical insulation, while integrated metal components provide mechanical strength, shielding, and structural support, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and mechanical protection.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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AI summary
A header connector (110) includes a housing (120) extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends (112, 114). The housing (120) has contact channels (124) open between the mating and mounting ends (112, 114), and the housing (120) has air pockets (126, 128) provided between selected ones of the contact channels (124) to control an impedance of socket contacts (122) received in the contact channels (124). Socket contacts (122) are loaded into the contact channels (124), with each socket contact (122) including a contact body extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends. The contact body has a box-shaped socket at the mating end that defines a reception area configured to receive a mating contact. The box-shaped socket is configured to engage four different sides of the mating contact.