Hybrid Cable Assembly Integrating Optical Fibers and Conductive Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable assemblies, such as Display Port connectors, face challenges in increasing signal transmission rates without compromising their size and structure, as adding optical fibers can increase the volume of the connector assembly.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly design featuring a housing with receiving grooves, conductive terminals, a spacer with lenses for optical fibers, and a metal shell to securely integrate and align optical fibers within the connector, maintaining a compact structure while enhancing transmission capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical fibers are added to the Display Port connector assembly to improve transmission rate, then signal transmission rate is improved, but volume of the connector assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fibers are nested within the existing connector housing structure, with lenses positioned in receiving grooves and optical fibers coupled to the lenses. This nesting approach allows optical components to be integrated into the existing volume without significantly increasing the overall connector assembly size, thereby achieving high transmission rates while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning lenses in receiving grooves on the housing and extending optical fibers through the housing structure. This three-dimensional arrangement allows optical components to be stacked and integrated along the Z-axis, enabling optical functionality without expanding the horizontal footprint of the connector assembly.
2Productivity
If optical fibers and lenses are integrated into the connector assembly, then transmission rate is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for conductive terminals, contains receiving grooves for lenses, and guides optical fibers. The spacer simultaneously provides structural support and positions optical components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby improving transmission capabilities without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges optical components (lenses and optical fibers) with the existing electrical connector structure. The lenses are integrated into the housing, and optical fibers are coupled to both the lenses and the cable assembly, creating a unified hybrid structure that combines optical and electrical connection functions in a single integrated 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 increases signal transmission rates by integrating optical fibers within the connector assembly without increasing its volume, providing a compact and efficient solution for improved data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical fibers are corresponded and coupled to the lenses, respectively
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of lenses are located on a front end of the tongue portion of the spacer
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly comprises: a housing having a receiving groove through an front surface and a rear surface thereof; a plurality of conductive terminals received in the housing, a cable electrically connected to the conductive terminals and a spacer having a basic portion located behind the housing and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the basic portion and received in the receiving groove. A plurality of lenses are located on a front end of the tongue portion of the spacer, and a plurality of optical fibers are corresponded and coupled to the lenses, respectively.