Planar EMI Gasket for High-Density PCB Connector Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing density of electrical connectors on printed circuit boards leads to unacceptable electromagnetic interference (EMI) due to close proximity of coaxial conductors, limiting signal integrity as radiation leaks between ports, and existing solutions either require additional connectors or special designs when port density exceeds predefined limits.
Innovation Solution
An EMI gasket with a planar conductive body and annular contact portions is mounted on the PCB, ensuring no air pockets and allowing tapered bosses of ganged connectors to establish electrical communication, reducing EMI by deforming to accommodate the connector's shape and material, such as aluminum or beryllium copper, with optional slots or triangular sections for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the density of electrical connectors on the printed circuit board is increased to accommodate more signals, then the number of transmitted electrical signals increases, but the electromagnetic radiation leakage between adjacent ports increases causing unacceptable crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
An EMI gasket is introduced as an intermediary component between the printed circuit board and the electrical connector. The gasket includes a conductive body with multiple contact portions that establish electrical communication with the connector ports, creating a shielded interface that reduces electromagnetic radiation leakage while maintaining high connector density
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket utilizes elastic deformation of its conductive body to adapt to the tapered outer wall of the connector boss. By changing the physical state from rigid to flexible, the gasket maintains continuous electrical contact and effective EMI shielding even under varying mechanical conditions and high connector density configurations
2Area of stationary object
If the connector density is increased by placing ports closer together, then more connectors can be accommodated in limited space, but the isolation between ports becomes insufficient leading to signal corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket provides localized EMI shielding at each individual port through its multiple contact portions, while the conductive body connects these portions to create both individual and collective shielding effects. This local quality approach allows ports to be placed closer together while maintaining signal integrity through port-specific isolation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid gasket structure is used to maintain EMI shielding, then the shielding effectiveness is maintained, but the gasket cannot accommodate the tapered shape of connector bosses leading to poor electrical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can deform elastically. The contact portions are designed to deform and conform to the tapered outer wall of the connector boss during insertion, ensuring reliable electrical contact while the conductive body maintains EMI shielding effectiveness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively minimizes electromagnetic radiation between ports of ganged connectors connected to a printed circuit board, maintaining signal integrity and allowing for higher connector density without unacceptable crosstalk, and can be repeatedly used with elastic deformation.
Implementation Method 1
the body and the contact portions include a conductive material... an amount of electromagnetic radiation emitted between ports is reduced
Implementation Method 2
a portion of each contact portion is deformable, when the ganged connector is urged toward the printed circuit board
Data Source
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AI summary
The device includes a body and a plurality of contact portions. The body is substantially planar. The plurality of contact portions are associated with the body so as to form ports. The plurality of contact portions are in electrical communication with the body. The port of each contact portion having an inside diameter substantially equal to ID1. The body and the contact portions are constructed of a conductive metallic material.