Shielded Connector Structure for Miniaturized RF and Signal Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for miniaturized connectors that can maintain reliability and prevent damage during coupling, while also effectively shielding electromagnetic interference and transmitting RF and digital signals in electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a plug and receptacle with shielded structures, including recessed portions on the plug shield sidewalls to prevent damage, double contact points for reliability, and integrated shields for electromagnetic interference shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector is miniaturized to meet the demand for smaller electronic devices, then the size of the connector is reduced, but the reliability of energization and resistance to external force may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The plug shield is nested within the receptacle connector housing, with the shield extending into the receptacle connector to provide structural support and protection. This nested configuration allows the shield to reinforce the miniaturized connector structure without significantly increasing the overall connector volume, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs composite construction combining metal shield components with plastic housing materials. The metal plug shield provides mechanical strength and electromagnetic shielding, while the plastic housing provides insulation and structural form. This composite approach enables the miniaturized connector to maintain high reliability and resistance to external forces despite reduced size.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the plug shield is made taller to improve shielding effectiveness, then electromagnetic interference shielding is enhanced, but the risk of damaging the receptacle socket during coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug shield features localized recessed portions at its distal end, creating areas of reduced height specifically where the receptacle socket contacts the plug connector. This local modification allows the shield to maintain full height and shielding effectiveness in non-contact regions while preventing damage at the coupling interface, thus resolving the contradiction between shielding performance and coupling safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple board connectors and RF connectors are mounted separately on the PCB, then each connector can function independently, but the PCB mounting area is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The connector integrates both board connector and RF connector functionalities into a single unified component. The plug connector includes both signal contacts for digital communication and RF contacts for radio frequency transmission, allowing both functions to be mounted together on the PCB as one unit. This merging significantly reduces the PCB mounting area compared to separate connectors while maintaining independent functionality of each connector type.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector comprising a plug connector and a receptacle connector coupled and electrically connected to the plug connector is disclosed. The plug connector comprises: a plug insulator having a length in a first direction and a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a plurality of plug contacts coupled to the plug insulator and arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction; and a plug shield which covers an edge of the plug insulator and is coupled to the plug insulator. The plug shield comprises a pair of first plug shield sidewalls forming side surfaces in the first direction, and a pair of second plug shield sidewalls forming side surfaces in the second direction, wherein at least a portion of the second plug shield sidewalls may be formed to have a lower height than the first plug shield sidewalls.