Header Connector Shield Elements for Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors in communication systems experience signal degradation when not fully mated, due to air surrounding the signal contacts at the mating interface, affecting impedance and signal integrity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of header connectors with deflectable and spring-biased ground contact shield elements that extend closer to the signal contacts, providing electrical shielding and controlling impedance by adjusting their position relative to the signal contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the receptacle and header connectors are designed with a mating range of approximately 1.5 mm to accommodate system tolerances, then the connectors can be mated without full alignment, but signal degradation occurs when not fully mated due to air surrounding the signal contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ground contact shield elements as intermediary structures between the signal contacts and the surrounding air environment. These shield elements extend closer to the signal contacts than the ground contacts, creating a controlled electromagnetic environment that mediates the interaction between the signal and the external air medium, thereby maintaining signal integrity during partial mating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of the shielding structure by positioning the ground contact shield elements closer to the signal contacts than the traditional ground contacts. This parameter change in the shielding configuration allows the system to maintain proper electromagnetic field containment even when the connector is not fully mated, thus preserving signal integrity across the full range of mating positions
2Reliability
If ground contacts are provided to surround signal contacts, then electrical shielding is achieved, but the shield elements need to be positioned very close to signal contacts to be effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the grounding and shielding function into two distinct components: ground contacts that provide the primary grounding path, and ground contact shield elements that provide the close-proximity electromagnetic shielding. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the shield elements can be positioned close to signal contacts for effective shielding without requiring the entire ground contact structure to be repositioned
3Reliability
If the ground contact shield elements are made deflectable and spring biased, then they can extend toward signal contacts to provide shielding, but this adds structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ground contact shield elements deflectable with spring bias, transforming them from static structures to dynamic components. This allows the shield elements to automatically adjust their position - extending closer to signal contacts when needed for optimal shielding and retracting when not required. The dynamic nature of these elements provides adaptive signal protection while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that leverages elastic deformation rather than complex actuation mechanisms
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 reduces signal degradation by maintaining signal integrity and performance even when connectors are not fully mated, by effectively managing the spacing and impedance around the signal contacts.
Implementation Method 1
The ground contact shield elements are deflectable and spring biased to extend toward the nearest header signal contact of the corresponding contact pair
Data Source
AI summary
A header connector includes a header housing having a base and a cavity with header signal contacts coupled to the base and header ground contacts coupled to the base having a mating end extending into the cavity providing electrical shielding for corresponding contact pairs of the header signal contacts. Each header ground contact includes an end wall and a side wall extending from the end wall. Ground contact shield elements are coupled to corresponding header ground contacts along the corresponding side walls of the header ground contacts. The ground contact shield elements are deflectable and spring biased to extend toward the nearest header signal contact of the corresponding contact pair such that the ground contact shield element is positioned closer to the header signal contact than the side wall of the corresponding header ground contact.