Midboard Connector Assembly With Short Stub Length for High-Frequency Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in maintaining high signal integrity for high-frequency signals due to stub resonance and increased signal loss, particularly in cabled interconnections within electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of a connector design that incorporates a terminal assembly stamped from a single piece of metal, overmolded with dielectric material, and features angled terminals to reduce stub resonance, along with a cable connector that includes a ground conductor to minimize resonance and enhance signal fidelity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cabled interconnections are used within electronic devices, then flexibility and ease of assembly are improved, but stub resonance and signal loss increase for high-frequency signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic stub portion from the connector design. By designing the connector terminals to extend directly from the circuit board without creating stubs (dead-end conductors), the harmful resonant effects are removed while maintaining the flexible cabled interconnection benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having cables connect to edge-mounted connectors, the patent inverts the approach by using midboard connectors that connect to components in the interior of the circuit board. This reversal of the connection topology eliminates the stub resonance problem while maintaining ease of assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional connector designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but stub resonance causes signal loss for high-frequency signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the stub portion from traditional connector designs. The terminal assembly is configured so that conductors extend directly from the circuit board through the connector without creating dead-end stubs, eliminating resonance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated terminal assembly construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into functional segments: a terminal assembly with multiple terminals, a housing, and mounting features. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the terminal assembly for signal integrity and the housing for mechanical protection - while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity.
3Reliability
If midboard connectors are used to connect to interior components, then signal paths are shortened and signal integrity is improved, but connector complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the terminal assembly: electrical connection, mechanical support, and positioning features are integrated into a single stamped metal component. This reduces the number of separate parts needed and simplifies the overall connector design while maintaining the signal integrity benefits of midboard connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal assembly is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple purposes: providing electrical connections, structural support, and alignment features. The stamped metal construction provides both electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, eliminating the need for separate structural components and reducing overall connector complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A midboard cable connector assembly with a board connector and a cable connector. The board connector has terminals precisely positioned with respect to engagement features. A cable connector likewise has terminals precisely positioned with respect to complementary engagement features. When the connectors are pressed together for mating, the terminals of one or both connectors deform, generating a force that separates the connectors until the engagement features engage and block further backward motion. As the mating position is defined by the locations of the engagement features, the connectors can be designed with low over travel and a resulting short stub length, which promotes high frequency performance. High frequency performance is further promoted by a ground conductor interconnecting the beams forming mating contact portions of ground terminals, reducing the length of unconnected segments and by a cable clamp plate with complaint compression features that reduce distortion of the cables.