Ruggedized High Speed Connector Shielding and Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed connectors, such as SAS and HDMI, face challenges in meeting military specifications for environmental protection and vibration resistance, particularly in dynamic environments, as they lack an effective exterior grounding structure and are prone to unmate due to exterior forces.
Innovation Solution
A shielded connector assembly with interengaging male and female components, each with conductive contacts and internal grounding shields, supported by insulative housings and retaining rings, allowing for axial movement and rotation for secure mating and un-mating, while providing enhanced shielding and grounding for reliable high-speed performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pin fields are used in connector housing, then electrical characteristics can be designed, but the pins may bend and the design becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple contacts into a single rigid contact array structure that maintains electrical characteristics while eliminating individual pin bending issues. The contacts are integrated into a unified housing structure that provides mechanical support, reducing design complexity and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for contacts, establishes electrical characteristics through its structure, and offers environmental protection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pin field designs while improving overall reliability.
2Volume of moving object
If small pin field size is used, then connector compactness is achieved, but proper high-speed operation becomes difficult to design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional two-dimensional pin field layout to a three-dimensional contact array structure within the housing. This dimensional change allows for optimized signal paths and grounding in multiple directions, enabling high-speed operation while maintaining compact connector dimensions.
3Reliability
If flat style connectors are used, then desirable electrical characteristics are achieved, but they lack exterior structure for environmental protection and vibration resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the flat-style connector with desirable electrical characteristics is housed within a protective exterior structure. The internal connector components are nested within the external housing that provides environmental protection and vibration resistance, allowing both electrical performance and environmental durability to coexist.
4Device complexity
If connectors are designed for static environments, then simplicity is maintained, but they cannot withstand vibrations and exterior forces in dynamic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic features into the connector design, including flexible sealing elements and vibration-resistant contact arrangements that can accommodate movement and external forces. These dynamic elements are integrated into the overall structure without significantly increasing complexity, enabling the connector to withstand vibrations in dynamic environments while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A high speed connector assembly includes two interengaging connector halves each held in respective first and second interengaging connector housings. Each of the connector halves includes a plurality of conductive contacts arranged in at least two linear arrangements and at least partially surrounded by a conductive grounding shield. The connector housings are cylindrical and engage each other in a circular fashion, while the connectors engage each other in a linear, axial fashion. The connector housings provide a sealed environment for the connectors.