Shielded Cable With Segmented Adhesive Films For Mass Termination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical cables, such as coaxial and shielded cables, are not suitable for mass-termination techniques and have limitations in high-speed signal transmission, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, making them inadequate for modern high-speed electrical and electronic applications.

Innovation Solution

A shielded electrical cable design featuring a conductor set with two parallel shielding films and a conformable adhesive layer that bonds the shielding films on both sides of the conductor set, allowing for mass-termination and improved flexibility, while maintaining the cross-sectional shape of the conductors to preserve electrical characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional coaxial or shielded cables are used, then electrical signal transmission is achieved, but mass-termination techniques cannot be applied and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass-termination capabilityVSAvoidconnector design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: multiple insulated conductors are separated and individually accessible, while shielding films are divided into segments that can be independently terminated. This segmentation allows each conductor to be terminated separately using standard mass-termination techniques without requiring complex custom connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable design achieves multi-functionality by combining features of both traditional shielded cables (signal transmission and shielding) and open-structure cables (mass-termination capability). The universal structure accepts standard termination methods while maintaining electromagnetic shielding, eliminating the need for specialized connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional shielded cable structures are used, then shielding is provided, but flexibility and ability to conform to different configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable flexibility and conformabilityVSAvoidstructural rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding structure uses thin film configurations instead of rigid shield layers. These flexible films can conform to various cable bends and configurations while maintaining their shielding function. The thin film structure provides the necessary adaptability without compromising the protective shielding capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If shielding films are bonded rigidly, then structural stability is improved, but signal attenuation and buckling of shielding films increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission qualityVSAvoidshielding film bond strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding parameters are optimized to achieve the right balance: the adhesive strength is tuned to provide sufficient mechanical support without creating rigid constraints that would cause buckling. The bond strength parameter is specifically controlled to prevent signal attenuation while maintaining adequate structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If conventional cable structures are used, then electrical connection is achieved, but cost-effectiveness for high-speed applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiency and cost-effectivenessVSAvoidsignal transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is manufactured with pre-prepared conductor ends and pre-positioned shielding films that are ready for mass-termination. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming manual assembly steps and enables high-speed manufacturing processes, improving productivity while maintaining the cable's high-speed signal transmission capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables efficient mass-termination and high-speed signal transmission while being cost-effective, suitable for various applications, and reduces the likelihood of signal attenuation and buckling of shielding films.

Implementation Method 1

a conformable adhesive layer disposed between the shielding films and bonding the shielding films to each other on both sides of the conductor set

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2728588B1Shielded electrical cable
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP2728588B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP2728588B1 patent drawingFigure 2c~2e
  • EP2728588B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a shielded electrical cable (2) comprising: a plurality of spaced apart conductor sets, each conductor set including one or more substantially parallel longitudinal insulated conductors; at least one longitudinal ground conductor extending in substantially the same direction as the insulated conductors; two generally parallel shielding films disposed around the conductor sets and the at least one longitudinal ground conductor; a conformable adhesive layer disposed between the shielding films and bonding the shielding films to each other on both sides of each conductor set; and a plurality of longitudinal splits (18) disposed between and separating the conductor sets.