Pass-through Connector Continuous Terminal Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for mini-SAS and mini-SAS HD cables introduce impedance discontinuities due to conductor material changes and solder joints, affecting data transfer rates in SAS systems.
Innovation Solution
Pass-through connectors with continuous terminal conductors that directly connect two SAS cables, eliminating the need for intervening connectors and minimizing impedance discontinuities, featuring a conductive shroud with mounting flanges and EMI shield tabs for secure attachment and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connectors with multiple conductor materials and solder joints are used to connect SAS cables, then the connector structure is more robust and easier to manufacture, but impedance discontinuities increase and data transfer rates deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple conductor materials into a single continuous terminal conductor that extends through the entire connector body, eliminating the need for separate conductor segments and solder joints. This merging approach maintains connection reliability while eliminating impedance discontinuities that limit data transfer rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal conductor is designed as a continuous piece of conductive material that provides an unbroken electrical path from one cable interface to the other. This continuity eliminates the interruptions caused by solder joints and material transitions, ensuring optimal signal transmission for high-speed SAS data transfer.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional connectors with multiple components and assembly steps are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity and impedance discontinuities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the terminal conductor, connector body, and shielding structures into a unified design where the continuous conductor is embedded within the connector housing. This reduces the number of discrete components and assembly steps while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through modular connector body designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the solder joints and intermediate conductor components from the traditional connector assembly. By removing these elements, the design simplifies the overall structure while maintaining ease of manufacture through streamlined molding and assembly processes for the integrated connector body.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional connector designs with multiple material transitions are used, then adaptability to different mounting configurations is improved, but impedance discontinuities and signal loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the terminal conductor with the connector body in an integrated structure that maintains consistent electrical properties throughout. The continuous conductor design ensures reliable signal transmission while the connector body provides adaptable mounting options through integrated flanges and mounting features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains consistent electrical parameters (conductivity, impedance) along the entire length of the terminal conductor by using a single material composition. This parameter consistency eliminates impedance discontinuities while the mechanical dimensions and mounting features of the connector body can be varied to provide adaptability to different configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology is provided for a pass-through connector including a connector body having first and second end portions. The first end is configured as an internal style connector and has a pair of receptacle openings. The connector body also includes a second end portion configured as an external style connector and has a pair of receptacle openings. A conductive shroud is attached to the second end portion of the connector body and can include mounting flanges to facilitate attachment to a panel or bulkhead. Terminal conductors are disposed in the connector body and extend between the pairs of receptacle openings. The terminal conductors are configured to releasably engage a plug of a Mini-SAS HD cable assembly, for example, when coupled to the first or second end. Each terminal conductor is a single continuous piece of conductive material to directly connect the cable assembly connectors together with minimal impedance discontinuity.