Plug Connector Mating Spring Biasing for Stub Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connectors in communication systems suffer from electrical stubbing issues due to excessive contact length, which degrades signal performance, and overmating leads to latch unseating and connector movement.
Innovation Solution
The plug connector design includes a mating spring that biases the end wall away from the mating end, reducing electrical stub length and incorporating a latch with a latching tip to secure the plug connector to the receptacle connector, ensuring proper seating and reducing overmating issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug contacts have sufficient length along the mating direction for contact wipe, then the contact reliability is improved, but electrical stubbing occurs which degrades signal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The plug connector is divided into distinct functional zones: a contact wipe region where the contacts engage and a truncated region where the contacts are shortened. This segmentation allows the contacts to have sufficient length for reliable wiping contact while eliminating the excessive forward portion that causes electrical stubbing, thus resolving the contradiction between contact reliability and signal performance.
2Ease of operation
If the plug connector allows additional travel when overmated, then the ease of mating is improved, but the latches become unseated leading to connector movement
Solution Approach 1:
A spring-loaded end wall is positioned to preemptively contact and bias against the mating connector before the latches can become unseated. This preliminary anti-action prevents overmating by applying a counteracting force that stops excessive travel, thereby maintaining latch engagement and connector stability while still allowing sufficient ease of mating.
3Device complexity
If the end wall contacts the mating connector directly, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the latching tip cannot be properly seated against the mating connector
Solution Approach 1:
A spring-loaded end wall acts as an intermediary between the plug housing and the mating connector. Instead of direct contact, the end wall engages the mating connector with controlled spring force, which transmits the biasing force to properly seat the latching tip within the latch opening. This intermediary mechanism ensures precise latching while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
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
This design enhances electrical performance by minimizing electrical stubs and ensures reliable latching, preventing connector movement and improving overall system stability.
Implementation Method 1
The mating spring has a spring arm extending into the mating chamber. The spring arm has a mating interface configured to engage a mating end of the mating connector to bias the end wall away from the mating end of the mating connector.
Implementation Method 2
The latch has a latch beam including a latching tip configured to be received in a latch opening of the mating connector to secure the plug connector to the mating connector.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector includes a plug housing having a mating end at a front of the plug housing for mating with a mating connector. The plug housing has an upper wall, an end wall extending from the upper wall, and side walls extending from the upper wall. The plug housing has a mating chamber defined by the upper wall, the end wall and the side walls. The mating chamber is open at the front. The end wall is opposite the front at a rear of the mating chamber. The plug connector includes a circuit card held by the plug housing. The circuit card extends into the mating chamber for mating with the mating connector. The circuit card has plug contacts. The plug connector includes a mating spring coupled to the end wall. The mating spring has a spring arm extending into the mating chamber. The spring arm has a mating interface configured to engage a mating end of the mating connector to bias the end wall away from the mating end of the mating connector.