Micro-coax Cable Harness EMI Shielding Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact electronic devices, such as head-mounted displays, face challenges in managing electro-magnetic interference (EMI) due to space constraints, where traditional shielding methods are inefficient in optimizing EMI emission management while maintaining design flexibility and performance.
Innovation Solution
A space-saving micro-coax cable harness is implemented, utilizing bundled or ribbonized strands of micro-coaxial cable with discrete wires for shielding, where the outer diameters of the discrete wires are matched to the micro-coax cable components to facilitate connectorization and provide low-impedance ground paths, and conducting ground bars are used to enhance shielding effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shielding methods are used in compact devices, then EMI management is achieved, but space utilization is insufficient and design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the cable harness structure itself: the micro-coax cables provide both signal transmission and integrated shielding through their construction (inner conductor, dielectric, outer conductor, and jacket). The discrete wires are merged with the cable assembly to provide additional shielding layers and ground paths, eliminating the need for separate shielding components and improving space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable harness serves multiple functions simultaneously: signal transmission through micro-coax cables, EMI shielding through the cable construction and discrete wires, ground reference provision through ground bars and ground paths, and mechanical support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and optimizes space in compact devices.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If discrete wires are added for shielding, then EMI protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discrete wires are pre-formed with their outer diameters matched to the micro-coax cable dimensions before assembly. This preliminary preparation ensures that the wires can be directly integrated into the cable harness without requiring complex post-assembly processing or custom fabrication, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective EMI shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that the outer diameters of the discrete wires are matched to the outer diameters of the micro-coax cables. This parameter matching simplifies the assembly process by ensuring consistent geometry and pitch, allowing for standardized fabrication processes and reducing the need for complex adjustment or customization during manufacturing.
3Ease of operation
If outer diameters of discrete wires are matched to micro-coax components, then connectorization is facilitated and pitch consistency is achieved, but fabrication precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the outer diameters of the discrete wires are matched to the outer diameters of the micro-coax cables through controlled fabrication processes. This parameter matching enables consistent pitch and spacing throughout the harness assembly, facilitating standardized connectorization and termination processes while maintaining manufacturability through established fabrication techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
In an electronic device having a compact form factor, a space-saving harness using bundled or ribbonized strands of micro-coaxial (micro-coax) cable may be utilized to provide signal and/or power interconnects between EMI-generating peripheral components and other components in the device such as those populated on circuit boards. Discrete wires are included in the harness to provide shielding to adjacent micro-coax conductors which may carry high speed signals such as MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) differential signal pairs and provide power and ground return paths. The discrete wires are subjected to fabrication processes during assembly of the micro-coax harness so that their outer diameters substantially match that of components in the micro-coax cable to thereby facilitate connectorization or termination to the circuit boards and/or other components in the device. The matching outer diameters can also provide a consistent pitch that may facilitate space-saving geometries for the harness, connector, and/or terminations.