LVDS Connector Impedance Matching via Insulating Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors for low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) systems face challenges in precisely matching characteristic impedance, which is crucial for effective data transmission due to variations in transmission line characteristics and connector designs.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a plug and receptacle component with specifically arranged metal contacts and a projection that fills the space between signal and ground contacts, allowing for precise control of the characteristic impedance by selecting dimensions and materials, ensuring a constant dielectric constant and alignment for optimal impedance matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional electrical connector designs are used, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but characteristic impedance matching is imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing shielding only at specific locations where ground loops occur (between adjacent metal contacts), rather than implementing universal shielding across the entire connector. This targeted approach improves impedance matching precision where needed while avoiding the complexity and cost of complete shielding solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an insulating projection as an intermediary element between adjacent metal contacts. This projection acts as a mediator that electrically isolates the contacts, preventing ground loops and improving characteristic impedance matching without requiring direct modification of the metal contacts themselves.
2Volume of moving object
If metal contacts are arranged closely for compact design, then connector size is reduced, but ground loops between adjacent contacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating projection serves as an intermediary barrier placed between closely spaced metal contacts. It maintains the compact connector design by allowing close contact spacing while simultaneously preventing ground loops through electrical isolation, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and ground loop prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful electrical connection between adjacent metal contacts by introducing the insulating projection. This removes the ground loop pathway while preserving the physical proximity of contacts for compact design, effectively separating the harmful electrical interaction from the beneficial physical arrangement.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If shielding is added between metal contacts to prevent ground loops, then ground loop risk is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating projection provides a simpler manufacturing solution compared to traditional shielding. Instead of requiring conductive shielding materials and complex grounding arrangements, the patent uses a simple insulating element that is easier to manufacture and assemble, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while still preventing ground loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating projection is a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and integrated into the connector. It provides effective ground loop prevention without the high cost and complexity of traditional shielding solutions, making it an economically favorable alternative.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Electrical connectors are disclosed. A component for an electrical connector includes a body portion, a pair of first metal contacts, and a second metal contact. The pair of first metal contacts are coupled to the body portion. The first metal contacts each have first ends extending in a first direction and second ends extending from the body portion in a direction opposite the first direction. The second metal contact is coupled to the body portion. The second contact has a first end extending in the first direction and a pair of second ends extending from the body portion in the direction opposite the first direction. Each second end of the second metal contact is aligned with a respective second end of the first metal contacts in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The component may be configured as a plug component or as a receptacle component.