PVD Metal Shielded Electrical Connector EMI

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electrical connectors face issues with electromagnetic interference, which affects their ability to effectively connect to mating electrical components, impacting their performance.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector with an insulating housing and conductive terminals, where a metal layer is applied via physical vapor deposition (PVD) to shield the terminals from electromagnetic interference, and is strategically positioned on the housing and PCB for effective shielding and connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional electrical connectors are used without additional shielding, then the device complexity is low, but electromagnetic interference affects connection effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection effectivenessVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the shielding function with the insulating housing by forming a metal layer directly on the housing surface. This integration merges the structural support function of the housing with the electromagnetic shielding function, eliminating the need for separate shielding components and maintaining low device complexity while improving connection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining insulating material (housing) with conductive material (metal layer). This composite approach allows the housing to simultaneously provide mechanical support, electrical insulation, and electromagnetic shielding, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a metal layer is added to shield conductive terminals, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidhousing fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The metal layer is formed on the insulating housing before the conductive terminals are installed. This preliminary action allows the shielding structure to be prepared in advance, simplifying the overall manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex assembly steps involving separate shielding components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical shielding structures (such as metal shields or cages) with a thin metal layer deposited via physical vapor deposition. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical assembly steps while providing effective electromagnetic interference shielding, significantly improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If physical vapor deposition is used to form the metal layer, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the parameters of the physical vapor deposition process, including deposition rate, layer thickness, and deposition temperature, to achieve effective shielding with minimal production time. By carefully controlling these parameters, the process becomes highly efficient while maintaining superior shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a thin metal layer that provides sufficient shielding effectiveness without requiring excessive material or prolonged deposition time. The layer thickness is optimized to provide just enough shielding to resolve EMI issues, balancing shielding effectiveness with manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 shields conductive terminals from electromagnetic interference, ensuring reliable connection to mating electrical components by reducing interference and enhancing the connector's performance.

Implementation Method 1

The insulating housing has a metal layer for shielding the conductive terminals from electromagnetic interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

the metal layer is formed on the insulating housing via physical vapor deposition (PVD)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical vapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentUS7329150B2Electrical connector

Publication Date: 2008.02.12 LOTES

AI summary

An electrical connector, includes an insulating housing having a plurality of terminal receiving holes, and a plurality of conductive terminals received in the receiving holes respectively. The insulating housing has a metal layer for shielding the conductive terminals from electromagnetic interference, and the metal layer is formed on the insulating housing via physical vapor deposition (PVD). In contrast to traditional methods, the electrical connector of the present invention connects to a mating electrical component effectively.