Shielded Electronic Array Interconnect with Insulated Eyelets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrophone interconnects face challenges in providing low capacitance and hermetic sealing while preventing RFI and EMI interference, especially when relocating preamplifier electronics in sonar arrays, which affects signal integrity and noise immunity.
Innovation Solution
A shielded electronic array design featuring a main plate with opposing surfaces, noise-shielding plates, and insulated eyelets, along with wiring components that extend through these eyelets to secure hermetic sealing and minimize capacitance, while providing effective noise shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If preamplifier electronics are relocated in sonar arrays, then device integration is improved, but capacitance increases and signal integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnect is divided into multiple insulated segments (eyelets) that electrically isolate different wiring portions. This segmentation prevents capacitance coupling between adjacent wiring sections while maintaining physical connectivity, thereby preserving signal integrity despite relocated preamplifier electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulated eyelets serve as intermediary components between the main plate and noise-shielding plate. These eyelets provide both mechanical support and electrical insulation, acting as mediators that prevent harmful capacitive coupling while allowing the relocated electronics to function properly.
2Reliability
If hermetic sealing is implemented to prevent water ingress, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eyelet design merges multiple functions into a single component: mechanical fastening (press-fit installation), electrical insulation (capacitance reduction), and hermetic sealing (watertight barrier). This consolidation simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for separate sealing components while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulated eyelet serves as a universal component that simultaneously provides structural support, electrical insulation, and environmental sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of parts and assembly steps, thereby easing manufacturing complexity while ensuring watertight performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If noise-shielding plates are added to prevent RFI and EMI, then noise immunity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Noise-shielding plates are selectively positioned only in areas where RFI and EMI protection is most critical, rather than providing uniform shielding throughout the entire device. This localized approach maintains noise immunity while minimizing the added structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding configuration uses asymmetric placement of noise-shielding plates relative to the electronic devices and wiring paths. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes EMI/RFI protection for the most vulnerable components while avoiding unnecessary shielding material and structural complexity in less sensitive areas.
4Reliability
If insulated eyelets are used to reduce capacitance, then signal integrity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The eyelet design incorporates self-aligning and self-centering features that enable press-fit installation without requiring high-precision positioning equipment. The geometric configuration of the eyelet automatically guides the wiring component into the correct position, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining the capacitance-reduction benefits.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
A shielded electronic array is provided and includes a main plate having opposing first and second major surfaces, first and second electronic devices disposed on respective first portions of the first and second major surfaces, respectively, a noise-shielding plate disposed on a second portion of the second major surface, an insulated eyelet, which is pressfittable into the main and noise-shielding plates and first and second wiring components. The first wiring component extends along a main plate plane from the second electronic device. The second wiring component extends from the first wiring component to the first electronic device and has an exposed first portion and a second portion extending through the insulated eyelet.