Segmented Shield Pins for Electrical Connector Signal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coaxial connectors are expensive, difficult to connect, and prone to failure with frequent mating cycles, requiring significant space and complicating miniaturization, while existing alternatives are not suitable for cable-cable connections.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a field of signal elements and shield elements arranged on a common surface, where each signal element is shielded by multiple shield elements distributed around it, with these shield elements being electrically interconnected to reduce manufacturing costs and improve mating ease and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coaxial connectors are used to shield inner conductors, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous cylindrical shield of conventional coaxial connectors is segmented into multiple discrete shield pins arranged in a circular pattern. Each signal pin is associated with multiple shield pins distributed around it, creating a segmented shielding structure that maintains effectiveness while simplifying manufacturing and reducing material usage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coaxial connectors are used for cable connections, then shielding is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in connection
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is divided into multiple discrete pins rather than a continuous cylinder, allowing for simpler insertion and mating operations while maintaining the shielding effect through the distributed arrangement of shield pins around each signal pin.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coaxial connectors are used for frequent mating cycles, then shielding is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous shield structure is segmented into multiple independent shield pins, which can better withstand repeated mating and unmating cycles without accumulating stress or deformation, thereby improving reliability for frequent connections while maintaining shielding effectiveness.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coaxial connectors are used, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but volume of moving object increases requiring considerable space
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is segmented into multiple discrete pins arranged compactly in a circular pattern around each signal pin, reducing the overall volume required compared to a continuous cylindrical shield, thereby enabling miniaturization while maintaining shielding effectiveness.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coaxial connectors are used, then shielding is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous shield is segmented into multiple discrete pins that can be manufactured separately and assembled more easily, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the shielding effectiveness through the distributed arrangement of shield pins.
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
The design results in a more cost-effective, easier-to-mate connector that can withstand a higher number of mating cycles and is suitable for high-frequency signal transmission, with effective shielding achieved using fewer overall conducting elements, enabling smaller and more reliable connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a field of shield elements (10) which are electrically conducting and arranged around the signal elements. Each signal element (12) is shielded by a plurality of the shield elements (10) distributed around it
Implementation Method 2
In the plug, nine spring-loaded pins are arranged in three rows with three pins each. In each case, the central pin transmits a signal and the eight surrounding pins act as shields.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A component for an electrical connector, said component bearing a field of electrically conducting signal elements (12) electrically insulated from each other and a field of electrically conducting shield elements (10), the shield elements being electrically interconnected with each other. For each of the signal elements (12), in any partial circumference extending over an angle (α) of more than 160 degrees from this signal element at least one of the shield element (10) is arranged that is closer to this signal element (12) than the any other signal element (12) of the field of signal elements (12). Each of these shield elements extends across an angle (β) of less than 160 degrees from the signal element (12). The number of shield elements (10) is the number of the signal elements (12) times 3 or less.