Quad Group Signal Contacts with Shared Ground Shields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector systems, such as those in network switches and computer servers, are limited by bandwidth and have a large footprint due to the need for differential pairs and electrical shielding, which occupies significant space.
Innovation Solution
The use of quad groups of signal contacts arranged in column and row pairs, with corresponding ground shields providing 360° electrical shielding, allowing for increased bandwidth and reduced footprint by concurrently transmitting multiple bits of information and minimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If differential pairs with electrical shielding are used, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but connector footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple differential pairs into a quad group where four signal contacts share a common ground shield. This merging approach allows adjacent quad groups to share ground shields, reducing the total number of ground shields needed and thereby decreasing connector footprint while maintaining signal transmission reliability through the shared shielding arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground shield serves multiple functions: it provides electrical shielding for one quad group while simultaneously serving as a reference plane and partial shield for adjacent quad groups. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of shielding components required, decreasing connector footprint without compromising signal integrity.
2Productivity
If more signal contacts are added to increase bandwidth, then information transmission capacity is improved, but connector complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connector into modular quad groups, where each group contains four signal contacts arranged in a standardized configuration. This segmentation allows for systematic expansion of bandwidth by adding more quad groups while maintaining manageable complexity through repetition of the basic modular unit, rather than dealing with arbitrary numbers of individual contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional linear or grid arrangements to a three-dimensional stacked configuration of quad groups. By utilizing vertical stacking and layered arrangements, the connector achieves higher bandwidth density without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the contact arrangement.
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 configuration enhances bandwidth capacity while reducing the physical size of the connectors, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems by enabling the concurrent transmission of multiple signal bits within a smaller footprint.
Implementation Method 1
The ground shields have walls surrounding a corresponding quad group of signal contacts and provides electrical shielding from adjacent quad groups of signal contacts
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector that includes a housing configured to be coupled to a mating connector. The connector has signal contacts held in signal contact openings. The signal contacts are arranged in arrays of quad groups. Each of the quad group has a set of four contacts arranged in row pairs and column pairs. The signal contacts of each quad group are configured to carry relational signals with each other signal contact in the quad group. Each signal contact is configured to electrically couple to a signal contact of the mating connector. The connector also includes ground shields held in corresponding ground shield openings. The ground shields have walls surrounding a corresponding quad group of signal contacts and provides electrical shielding from adjacent quad groups of signal contacts. The ground shields have mating ends for mating with corresponding ground contacts of the mating connector.