Preloaded High-Speed Connector With Short Signal Beam Tips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed electrical connectors face challenges in achieving reliable connections with sufficient mating force while maintaining a compact design, particularly in high-frequency operations.
Innovation Solution
The connector design incorporates preloaded signal contacts with short beam tips, where first type contacts (e.g., ground contacts) are preloaded by engaging their tips to a preload shelf, and second type contacts (e.g., high-speed signal contacts) are preloaded through mechanical coupling to the first type contacts, allowing for deflection without direct engagement with the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If contact beams are preloaded by hooking tips to a preload shelf, then contact force is increased, but beam tip length must be extended which degrades signal integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The contact beam is segmented into two types: first type contact beams (ground contacts) with longer distal portions that engage the preload shelf, and second type contact beams (signal contacts) with shorter distal portions that do not engage the preload shelf. This segmentation allows ground contacts to be preloaded while signal contacts maintain short stub lengths for high-frequency operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the contact assembly have different properties: ground contacts have longer beams for preloading, while signal contacts have shorter beams for signal integrity. The preload component selectively engages only the ground contacts, applying preload force locally without affecting signal contact beam length.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If contact beams are made shorter for high-frequency operation, then signal integrity is improved, but contact force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The preload component is installed beforehand to deflect the first type contact beams and engage their distal portions with the preload shelf. This preliminary action stores elastic energy in the ground contact beams, which is then transferred to the second type contact beams through the preload component, ensuring sufficient contact force without requiring long signal contact beams.
3Force
If a preload shelf is used to restrain contact beam tips, then preloading is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The preload component serves multiple functions: it mechanically couples both first type and second type contact beams, deflects the first type contact beams to engage the preload shelf, and simultaneously preloads the second type contact beams through mechanical coupling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate preloading mechanisms for different contact types.
4Force
If all contact beams are preloaded directly via housing engagement, then contact force is sufficient, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The preload component acts as an intermediary between the housing and the contact beams. It provides a controlled mechanism for deflecting ground contact beams and transferring preload force to signal contact beams, reducing the need for precise direct engagement between housing features and beam tips. The preload component absorbs manufacturing tolerances and ensures consistent preload force.
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 achieves reliable high-frequency operation with improved signal integrity by maintaining a short stub length, ensuring sufficient contact force, and supporting data rates up to 200 Gbps per channel.
Implementation Method 1
As the beams are deflected, they generate a spring force against the contact pads on the mating component
Implementation Method 2
Preloaded contact beams are shaped such that, in their rest states, they would extend into the opening of the port
Implementation Method 3
The component is mechanically coupled to the first type contact beams and the second type contact beams
Data Source
AI summary
A compact connector operable at data rates up to and beyond 200 Gbps includes a component that presses on high speed signal contact beams to deflect them into a preloaded state. The component may be attached to ground and/or low speed signal contact beams. Those contact beams may be preloaded by engaging their tips to features within the connector. When those contact beams are deflected into a preloaded state, the component presses against the high speed signal contact beams, deflecting them into a preloaded state. Tips on the high speed signal contact beams are not required for preloading and may be shortened relative to a conventional design to reduce stubs on high speed signal paths, which increases operating frequency of the connector. The component may include a conductive portion that connects ground contacts associated with the high speed signal terminals, which improves high frequency performance without additional components.