Right-Angle Electrical Connector Assembly with Segmented Ground Shields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies face challenges in creating a right-angle configuration that allows for efficient signal transmission while minimizing skew and electrical cross-talk between differential signal pairs, particularly when the connectors are mated at a right angle.
Innovation Solution
The design involves vertical electrical connectors with specific configurations of electrical contacts and ground shields that ensure perpendicular orientation of substrates and reduce skew by aligning mating ends and mounting ends in a staircase fashion, with ground shields providing U-shaped coverage to minimize cross-talk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If right angle connector configuration is used, then space efficiency and signal transmission are improved, but skew and electrical cross-talk between differential signal pairs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing ground shields specifically for certain differential signal pairs that are more susceptible to cross-talk, rather than uniformly shielding all pairs. The ground shields are selectively positioned between adjacent differential signal pairs based on their vulnerability to electromagnetic interference, thereby locally addressing the harmful effects where they occur most severely while maintaining signal transmission efficiency in the right angle connector configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vertical electrical connectors are mated at right angle, then mounting flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing serves as an intermediary component that facilitates the right-angle mating between two vertical connectors. The housing provides a structured framework with defined mating ends that guide alignment during assembly, reducing the precision burden on the electrical contacts themselves. The housing acts as a mediator that enables flexible mounting configurations while maintaining adequate alignment through its physical structure and interface design.
3Reliability
If ground shields are added to reduce cross-talk, then signal integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground shield system is segmented into discrete, modular components rather than implementing a continuous complex shielding structure. Each ground shield is a separate element that can be independently positioned between specific differential signal pairs, allowing the system to achieve signal integrity protection through simplified, segmented architecture. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity by breaking down the shielding function into manageable, standardized units.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment, first and second electrical connectors are configured as vertical electrical connectors that are configured to mate to each other so as to define a right angle electrical connector assembly. Ground shields and electrical contacts of various embodiments are also disclosed.