Board-to-Board RF Connector Shielding for Signal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional board-to-board connectors fail to concurrently transmit high-frequency and low-frequency signals effectively due to electromagnetic interference, limiting their efficiency in multichannel communication applications like 5G.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a male plug and female socket with shield terminals and housings that isolate high-frequency and low-frequency signal terminals, allowing for rotational symmetry and insert molding to reduce electromagnetic interference, enabling concurrent transmission of high-frequency and low-frequency signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If high-frequency and low-frequency signal terminals are arranged adjacent to each other in conventional connectors, then the connector structure is compact and simple, but electromagnetic interference occurs between high-frequency and low-frequency signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector structureVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is segmented into distinct high-frequency signal transmission regions and low-frequency signal transmission regions. Shielding partitions divide the internal space to separate high-frequency terminals from low-frequency terminals, preventing electromagnetic interference while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Shielding partitions and grounding structures serve as intermediary elements between high-frequency and low-frequency signal terminals. These intermediaries block electromagnetic fields and provide reference potential, eliminating interference without requiring complete physical separation of the connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If shield terminals and shielding partitions are added to separate high-frequency and low-frequency signals, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but the connector structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding partitions are integrated with the insulating body as a unified structure. Grounding terminals are combined with the shielding system, and the shield housing merges with the connector外壳, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining effective electromagnetic shielding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield housing serves multiple functions: it provides electromagnetic shielding, structural support, and environmental protection. The grounding terminals simultaneously serve as electrical references and shielding connections, reducing the need for additional dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If multiple signal terminals are arranged in a compact space, then space utilization is improved, but signal interference and crosstalk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the connector are assigned different shielding characteristics and terminal densities. High-frequency terminals are placed in regions with enhanced shielding and greater spacing, while low-frequency terminals can be more densely packed. The insulating body incorporates localized dielectric materials optimized for different frequency ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively reduces electromagnetic interference between signal types, allowing for efficient transmission of both high-frequency and low-frequency signals, enhancing compatibility and reducing signal interference, thereby improving communication efficiency in constrained spaces.

Implementation Method 1

a male plug shield terminal located between the male plug low-frequency signal terminals and the male plug high-frequency signal terminals and located on the insulation body; and a male plug shield housing arranged on the male plug insulation body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3836310B1Male plug, female socket and board-to-board RF connector
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 ELECTRIC CONNECTOR TECH
  • EP3836310B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3836310B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3836310B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a board-to-board RF connector including a male plug and a female socket which are mated. The male plug includes: a male plug insulation body; at least two male plug high-frequency signal terminals arranged on the male plug insulation body; at least two male plug low-frequency signal terminals arranged on the male plug insulation body; a male plug shield terminal located between the male plug low-frequency signal terminals and the male plug high-frequency signal terminals and arranged on the male plug insulation body. In contrast with the conventional technology, it is capable of realizing transmissions of the high-frequency signal and the low-frequency signal, meanwhile, it is also capable of reducing the influence caused by the high frequency signal interferes with the low frequency signal.