Electrical Contact with Intersecting Planes for Impedance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed data transfer systems face challenges in maintaining impedance control in small form factor electrical connectors, leading to signal loss and increased crosstalk errors due to limited space and contact size constraints.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates electrical contacts with a longitudinal first body portion for broadside coupling and a second body portion for edge coupling, optimizing impedance control and reducing crosstalk by maintaining a fixed relative position and using a ground member to minimize impedance mismatch and crosstalk between sets of contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electrical connector size is reduced to meet space requirements, then the physical size is improved, but the impedance control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is divided into two distinct body portions: a first body portion configured for broadside coupling and a second body portion configured for edge coupling. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific coupling mode, enabling impedance control in a compact connector structure by independently managing the electrical characteristics of different coupling regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-plane contact geometry to a three-dimensional structure where the first body portion lies in a first plane and the second body portion lies in a second plane intersecting the first plane. This dimensional change enables both broadside and edge coupling configurations within a smaller footprint, maintaining impedance control while reducing overall connector size.
2Volume of moving object
If the contact spacing is reduced to decrease connector size, then the physical size is improved, but the signal integrity deteriorates due to increased crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the electrical contact are designed with different geometries and orientations optimized for their specific functions: the first body portion is configured for broadside coupling while the second body portion is configured for edge coupling. This local quality differentiation allows each region to minimize crosstalk in its specific orientation, enabling tighter spacing without compromising signal integrity.
3Quantity of substance
If the contact size is reduced to fit more contacts in small form factor, then the quantity of contacts is improved, but the impedance control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is segmented into two body portions with different coupling configurations, allowing each portion to contribute differently to the overall impedance characteristics. This segmentation enables precise impedance control even when individual contact dimensions are reduced to accommodate higher contact densities in small form factor connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in geometric parameters and orientation between the two body portions to control impedance characteristics. By adjusting the dimensions, angles, and relative positions of the first and second body portions, precise impedance control is achieved despite reduced contact size, enabling higher contact quantities in compact connectors.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical contact includes a longitudinal first body portion, a longitudinal second body portion, a terminal portion, and a contact portion. The longitudinal first body portion has a terminal end, a first transition end opposite the terminal end, and a major surface generally lying in a first plane. The longitudinal second body portion has a contact end, a second transition end opposite the contact end, and a major surface generally lying in a second plane intersecting the first plane. The contact end is distal to the first transition end. The terminal portion extends from the first body portion at the terminal end. The contact portion extends from the second body portion at the contact end.