Hermaphroditic Connector Assembly With Unified Shielding Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for high-speed communication systems are complex and costly due to the need for separate designs with different housings, contacts, and shield structures, requiring significant tooling investments.
Innovation Solution
A hermaphroditic electrical connector assembly with a common housing and identical signal and ground contacts, featuring a conductive commoning member and wafer assemblies with integrated shielding, allowing direct plug compatibility and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional plug and receptacle connectors are used with different housings, contacts, and shield structures, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the traditionally separate plug and receptacle connectors into a single hermaphroditic connector design where both connectors are identical. This combines two different designs into one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate plug and receptacle components while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the mating interface of two identical connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The hermaphroditic connector design makes each connector universal by giving both connectors identical functionality. Each connector can mate with the other, eliminating the need for different plug and receptacle designs. This multi-functionality allows the same connector design to serve both traditionally separate roles, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional plug and receptacle connectors with different designs are used, then proper shielding and signal transmission are achieved, but tooling investment and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shielding designs of separate plug and receptacle connectors into a single unified shielding structure. Both connectors use identical ground frames and ground shields, eliminating the need for different shielding designs. This reduces tooling investment and manufacturing cost while maintaining effective electrical shielding through the standardized ground frame and shield structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal hermaphroditic connector design uses identical ground frames and ground shields in both connectors. This standardized shielding approach maintains effective electrical shielding for signal transmission while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost by eliminating the need for separate shielding tooling and processes.
3Device complexity
If identical hermaphroditic connectors are used for both plug and receptacle, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the design must maintain effective shielding and reliable mating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different functional zones within the identical connector structure. The ground frames and ground shields are positioned to provide localized shielding at the mating interface, while signal contacts are arranged for reliable electrical connection. This localized functional differentiation maintains reliability despite the overall identical design of both connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inversion by making both connectors identical when traditionally they should be different. Instead of designing separate plug and receptacle connectors with different structures, the invention inverts the approach by making them the same, with each connector capable of mating with the other. This maintains reliability through the symmetric mating interface while reducing design complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If identical parts are used for both connectors, then tooling investment is reduced, but the connector must still provide differentiated functions for signal and ground contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the identical connector structure into distinct functional segments. The ground frames and ground shields are segmented from the signal contacts, with each segment serving its specific function. This segmentation allows differentiated functions for signal and ground contacts while using identical overall connector designs, reducing tooling investment while maintaining functional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses local quality by providing different contact arrangements in specific locations of the identical connector. Signal contacts and ground contacts are positioned differently within the same connector structure, allowing differentiated functions despite the overall identical design. This local differentiation reduces tooling investment while maintaining the necessary functional complexity for proper signal transmission and shielding.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical connector assembly (200) includes a housing (210) having a mating interface configured to be mated with a hermaphroditic mating electrical connector assembly. The housing includes an electrically conductive commoning member (218) having contact openings (222). Wafer assemblies (230) are coupled to the housing each having a leadframe (240), a wafer body (242) holding the leadframe, and a ground frame (244) providing electrical shielding for the leadframe. The signal contacts (206) are terminated to cables (202). The ground shields (208) are electrically connected to the commoning member. The mating ends (234) of the signal contacts and the ground shields form a hermaphroditic mating interface for mating with the hermaphroditic mating electrical connector assembly.