Shielded Board Connector Layout for Low-Profile High-Frequency Mating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for high-frequency signal transmission on circuit boards face challenges in achieving both low signal degradation and a low profile while maintaining effective shielding and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A connector system with a receptacle and plug design that includes conductive shells surrounding pairs of contacts, partitioning the interior into separate accommodation spaces for first and second contacts, and utilizing conductive partition portions to enhance shielding and reduce interference, while allowing for a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive shells and partition portions are added to improve shielding performance, then signal degradation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector interior is segmented into multiple accommodation spaces using conductive partition portions that divide the shell interior. Each partition portion separates different contact pairs, creating isolated shielding zones that prevent signal interference while maintaining a modular structure that doesn't overly complicate the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive partition portions are nested within the conductive shells, with each partition fitting inside the shell's interior space. This nested arrangement allows the shielding structure to be compact and integrated, reducing the need for additional external components and minimizing overall device complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple contact pairs are arranged closely to reduce space occupation, then area is reduced, but signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector area is divided into multiple isolated accommodation spaces using conductive partition portions. Each partition creates a separate shielding zone that contains electromagnetic signals from adjacent contact pairs, allowing close arrangement of contacts without signal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the connector are given different shielding properties through the strategic placement of conductive partition portions. Each accommodation space has localized electromagnetic shielding tailored to its specific contact pairs, enabling dense packing while maintaining signal integrity through region-specific protection.
3Length of stationary object
If a low profile design is implemented to reduce connector height, then device size is reduced, but shielding effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive partition portions are nested within the limited height of the connector, utilizing the vertical space efficiently. Each partition is positioned to maximize shielding coverage within the constrained profile, creating effective electromagnetic barriers without increasing overall connector height.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending shielding structures vertically (increasing height), the design uses horizontal partitioning within the available footprint. The conductive partition portions create shielding zones that extend laterally across the connector face, compensating for the reduced vertical dimension through optimized two-dimensional space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector configured to mate with a counterpart connector along a mating orientation parallel to a circuit board. The connector includes: a plurality of pairs of first contacts configured to be connected to the circuit board; a plurality of pairs of second contacts configured to be connected to the circuit board; a plurality of conductive shells each of which surrounds one pair of first contacts and one pair of second contacts; and a plurality of receiving spaces respectively provided within the plurality of shells so as to respectively receive a plurality of conductive partition portions provided in the counterpart connector in a mated state, wherein an interior of each of the plurality of shells is partitioned into a first accommodation space that accommodates the pair of first contacts and a second accommodation space that accommodates the pair of second contacts in the mated state.