Spacer With Slits For Two-To-One Contact Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing spacer designs in cable connector assemblies are inadequate for achieving a reliable two-to-one connection between contacts and conductors in slimline Serial ATA interfaces, as they only facilitate one-to-one connections.
Innovation Solution
A novel spacer with receiving channels and slits is introduced, allowing at least a pair of contact tail portions to be received in the same channel, with conductors partially positioned in the slits to establish a reliable two-to-one electrical connection with the contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional spacer with one-to-one passageways is used, then the alignment and support function is achieved, but the two-to-one connection requirement for slimline Serial ATA cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer's passageway structure is segmented into different types: standard passageways for one-to-one connections and receiving channels with slits for two-to-one connections. This segmentation allows the spacer to accommodate different connection configurations (one-to-one or two-to-one) within the same device, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is designed with multi-functional passageways that can serve different connection modes. The receiving channels with slits can accommodate either single conductors (one-to-one) or paired conductors (two-to-one), making the spacer universal for different connection requirements in slimline Serial ATA applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a spacer is designed to support two-to-one connection, then the slimline Serial ATA power transmission requirement is met, but the alignment precision and connection reliability become difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The slit structure acts as an intermediary element between the contact tail portions and conductors. It provides a dedicated positioning space that guides and aligns the conductors with the contact tails, ensuring precise alignment for two-to-one connections while maintaining connection reliability through the confined geometric relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving channels are designed with specific local geometric features (slits) that provide enhanced alignment control for two-to-one connections. The local structural quality of the slit creates a constrained environment that automatically positions conductors correctly, improving alignment precision without requiring complex overall spacer design.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (2) defining a number of passageways (2251, 2261) along a mating direction, a number of contacts (3) received in the passageways of the insulative housing with tail portions (34) thereof exposed beyond the insulative housing, a spacer (4) assembled to the insulative housing and the contacts, and defining a number of receiving channels (403, 404) to receive the tail portions of the contacts, and a cable (5) including a number of conductors (510, 520, 522) respectively electrically connecting with the contacts. At least a pair of tail portions of the contacts is received in the same receiving channel of the spacer with other tail portions of the contacts received in the receiving channels of the spacer in one-to-one manner. The spacer further defines at least one slit communicating with said receiving channel receiving said pair of tail portions. At least one conductor is partially received in the slit to be positioned by the slit and electrically connect with said pair of tail portions of the contacts at the same time