Shielded Connector Assembly for Stable Contact and Low Crosstalk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for shielding electrical connectors often require complex assembly, have varying contact resistances due to material aging, and fail to provide shielding between individual conductors within a cable, leading to signal crosstalk.

Innovation Solution

A shielded electrical connector design featuring multiple line elements with individual sheaths, an outer shielding sheath, inner shielding sheaths for subsets of conductors, a shield divider, and an electrically conductive shielding bridge that forms a seamless, monolithic connection between these components, ensuring consistent shielding and reduced contact resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional shielding methods (crimp sleeve and union nut) are used, then shielding connection is achieved, but assembly becomes complex and contact resistance varies due to material aging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact resistance stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple shielding components (outer shielding sheath, inner shielding sheaths, shield divider, and shielding bridge) into a single integrated shielded connector assembly. The shielding bridge monolithically connects all shielding elements, eliminating the need for separate crimp sleeves and union nuts, thereby simplifying assembly to a single injection molding process while ensuring stable electrical contact without material aging issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielded connector is designed as a multi-functional integrated component that simultaneously provides: (1) outer shielding against external interference, (2) inner shielding between conductor subsets, (3) mechanical support for conductors, (4) electrical connection between all shielding layers, and (5) structural support for the entire connector assembly, all within a single molded part.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If only outer shielding is provided, then shielding from external interference is achieved, but crosstalk between individual conductors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal interference shieldingVSAvoidsignal crosstalk
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the shielding structure into multiple segments: an outer shielding sheath surrounding all conductors, and inner shielding sheaths surrounding specific subsets of conductors (e.g., twisted pairs). The shield divider further segments the internal space to isolate different conductor groups. This segmented approach provides both external interference shielding and internal crosstalk reduction simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding structure employs a nested configuration where inner shielding sheaths are positioned within the outer shielding sheath, and conductor subsets are nested within their respective inner shields. The shield divider creates nested compartments for different conductor groups. This nested arrangement enables multi-level shielding: outer shield for external interference, inner shields for inter-conductor crosstalk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 simplifies assembly, maintains low contact resistance, reduces signal crosstalk, and enhances signal quality and mechanical stability by providing a continuous shielding effect across the connector.

Implementation Method 1

The shielding bridge (25) surrounds the line elements (2) in the connection area between the cable (10) and the housing part (30) and establishes a material connection from the outer shielding sheath (20) to the inner shielding sheaths (24) and the shield divider (35)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaterial connection: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP4107818B1Shielded electric connector
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4107818B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4107818B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4107818B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a shielded electric connector comprising a plurality of line elements; a plurality of line element sleeves in order to electrically insulate the individual line elements; an outer shielding sleeve which surrounds the plurality of line elements at least partly or at least in some regions; at least one inner shielding sleeve which surrounds a first sub-quantity of line elements together at least partly or at least in some regions in order to shield same from the remaining line elements; a connector housing for housing contact elements; a shield separator for forming at least two shield sectors, wherein the first sub-quantity of the line elements is guided in a first shield sector, and a second sub-quantity of the line elements is guided in a second shield sector; at least one seal insert for arranging in one of the shield sectors in order to seal off a cable side in the region of the shield separator from a plug side; and an electrically conductive shield bridge for electrically connecting the outer shield sleeve to the at least one inner shield sleeve and to the shield separator, said electrically conductive shield bridge being arranged about the line element sleeves.