Segmented Connector Terminal for Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable assemblies with non-contact ground wires lack the electrical advantages of interstitial ground wires, such as reduced crosstalk and improved signal transmission, due to increased terminal density and complexity in wire termination regions.
Innovation Solution
The development of electrically conductive terminals that make solderless connections with conductive pads and include terminating portions with multiple recessed segments separated by conductive walls, allowing for efficient contact with both insulated and uninsulated wires without increasing terminal density, thereby isolating neighboring differential pairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If interstitial ground wires are used in cable assemblies, then crosstalk is reduced and signal transmission is improved, but terminal density increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal structure is segmented into multiple functional portions: a body portion, a wire receiving portion with multiple recesses, and an insulator. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function efficiently - the body provides structural support, the recesses individually accommodate different wire types (signal and ground wires), and the insulator provides electrical isolation. This resolves the contradiction by organizing the increased terminal density into a structured, manageable configuration rather than a chaotic increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire receiving portion incorporates multiple nested recesses within the terminal structure, where each recess is designed to receive specific wires. The insulator is nested within the terminal body, and the ground wires are positioned between signal wires in a nested arrangement. This nesting approach allows the terminal to accommodate interstitial ground wires without proportionally increasing the overall terminal density, as the wires are efficiently packed within the available space.
2Stability of the object's composition
If ground wires are placed in physical contact with insulator of signal-pair wires, then cable configuration is balanced and return loss is improved, but terminal structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal structure applies local quality by providing different structural characteristics in different regions. The wire receiving portion has specific recesses with different geometries and electrical properties - some recesses are designed for signal wires with insulator contact, while others are for ground wires. The insulator material itself has specific electrical properties (dielectric constant, loss tangent) that are optimized for its local function of providing electrical isolation while maintaining mechanical contact. This localized optimization allows the terminal to achieve balanced cable configuration without uniformly increasing overall structural complexity.
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 enables efficient and balanced signal transmission by allowing interstitial ground wires to be integrated within cable assemblies, reducing crosstalk and maintaining a balanced cable configuration while minimizing terminal density and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The terminal includes a substantially straight conductive middle portion and a conductive mating portion extending from a first end of the middle portion for making solderless electrical contact with a conductive pad
Implementation Method 2
The mating portion is resiliently compressible in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically conductive terminal generally extends along a first direction and includes a straight middle portion, a resiliently compressible mating portion extending from a first end of the middle portion for making contact with a conductive pad, and a terminating portion extending from a second end of the middle portion for making contact to a plurality of wires. The terminating portion includes a plurality of electrically connected segments separated by one or more walls and is configured to receive conductive ends of the plurality of wires in a one-to-one correspondence relationship. The terminating portion electrically connects the received wires.