Plug Connector Sleeve for Impedance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connector arrangements for differential signal transmission experience signal reflections and interference due to abrupt changes in characteristic impedance at the transition between the cable and the connector, particularly in high-frequency ranges.

Innovation Solution

A sleeve part is used to exert radial pressure on the wire pair in the widening section, maintaining the initial wire spacing and reducing the distance between the wires, thereby minimizing impedance fluctuations and ensuring a consistent characteristic impedance throughout the connector arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wire pair diverges in the widening section from the cable to the connector, then the wires can be connected to the connector contacts, but the characteristic impedance changes abruptly causing signal reflections and interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector connectionVSAvoidsignal transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sleeve part is introduced as an intermediary component in the widening section. This sleeve part exerts pressure from radially outside on the wire pair, maintaining a smaller mutual distance between the wires and thus preserving the characteristic impedance of the cable over a longer section, reducing abrupt impedance changes and signal reflections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve part changes the physical parameter of wire spacing in the widening section. By applying radial pressure, it maintains the wires at a smaller mutual distance that corresponds to the cable's characteristic impedance, rather than allowing them to naturally diverge to the larger spacing required for connector contact connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the wire spacing is maintained small in the widening section, then impedance consistency is improved, but the wires need radial compression force applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance consistencyVSAvoidradial pressure on wires
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve part serves as a force transmission intermediary that applies controlled radial pressure to the wire pair. This distributed pressure from the sleeve's inner surface maintains the wires in close proximity without requiring excessive localized force, achieving impedance consistency through mechanical compression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve part functions as a flexible or elastic shell that can deform to apply continuous radial pressure on the wire pair. This flexible constraint maintains the wires in the desired close spacing configuration throughout the widening section, providing sustained impedance control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 significantly reduces signal reflections and interference, especially in high-frequency ranges, by maintaining a consistent impedance profile from the cable to the connector, leading to improved signal transmission quality.

Implementation Method 1

a sleeve part, which at least partially surrounds the wire pair in the widening section, is provided for at least partially exerting pressure from radially outside on the wires of the wire pair in the widening section, in order to reduce the distance between them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3251173B1Plug connector arrangement with sleeve part
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 ROSENBERGER HOCHFREQUENZTECHNIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3251173B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3251173B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a plug connector arrangement (100) comprising a plug connector (10) and a cable (20) connected thereto, with at least one conductor pair for transmitting a differential signal, wherein the conductors (22, 24) of the conductor pair have a first mutual spacing (X) in a sheathed cable section (32), diverge in an expansion section (34) in the direction of the plug connector (10), and have a larger second mutual spacing (Y) in a guide section (36) of the plug connector, wherein a sleeve part (40) at least partially surrounding the conductor pair in the expansion section (34) is provided to exert pressure on the conductors (22, 24) of the conductor pair at least in sections, in order to reduce the spacing therebetween.