Shielded Plug Connector with Staged Ground Contact for EMC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors for high-frequency signal transmission in automation systems fail to optimize electrical properties and electromagnetic compatibility, leading to suboptimal signal transmission and interference immunity.

Innovation Solution

The connector design features a first shielding means with longitudinally extending shielding springs, where the springs are divided into two contact points that contact at different locations, providing a low impedance ground connection and maintaining a defined contacting sequence, with the shielding making initial contact before signal pins, and optimized housing and contact point design for low inductance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional shielding means are used in connectors, then the structure is simple, but the electrical properties and interference immunity are insufficient for high-frequency signal transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference immunityVSAvoidshielding structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding spring is divided into multiple contact points (first contact point and second contact point) along its length, creating segmented contact zones. This segmentation allows different portions of the shielding spring to contact the second shielding means at different positions, improving electrical properties and interference immunity while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding spring extends in the plugging direction (longitudinal dimension) with contact points distributed along its length. This dimensional arrangement creates a gradient contact sequence where contact points engage at different positions during insertion, optimizing the contact sequence and electrical properties without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration achieves improved signal transmission and interference immunity, enabling high-quality signal processing at high data rates, such as 10 gigabits, while ensuring signal integrity and protecting electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

the first shielding spring has a first contact point bent into the first shielding spring and the second shielding spring has a second contact point bent into the second shielding spring, wherein the second shielding spring is designed to be shorter than the first shielding spring and thus the contact points in the plugging direction contact the second shielding element at different points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4462607A1Plug connector and automation component with plug connector
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 SIEMENS AG
  • EP4462607A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4462607A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4462607A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a connector (10) comprising a first connector element (1) with a plurality of signal pins (3) and a second connector element (2) with a plurality of counter-signal pins (4), which are configured such that, in the plugged-in state, the signal pins (3) are inserted into the counter-signal pins (4), wherein the first connector element (1) has a first shielding element (1SM) and the second connector element (2) has a second shielding element (2SM), which make electrical contact with each other in the plugged-in state, wherein the first shielding element (1SM) comprises a first stamped sheet metal part (5) from which a plurality of shielding springs (SF) are formed and each shielding spring (SF) is divided into a first shielding spring (SF1) and a second shielding spring (SF2), which extend longitudinally to a plugging direction (SR).wherein the first shielding spring (SF1) has a first contact point (K1) bent into the first shielding spring (SF1) and the second shielding spring (SF2) has a second contact point (K2) bent into the second shielding spring (SF2), wherein the second shielding spring (SF2) is designed to be shorter than the first shielding spring (SF1) and thereby the contact points (K1,K2) contact the second shielding element (2SM) at different points in the insertion direction (SR).