Spring Seal Structure for EMI Shielding in I/O Connector Cages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing I/O connector designs struggle to effectively reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and improve high-frequency performance in electronic devices, as electromagnetic radiation can escape or enter through panel openings.
Innovation Solution
A spring seal with a conductive sheet featuring a plurality of peaks and valleys is used within a cage of a connector assembly, providing multiple points of contact with the transceiver and cage walls to form short conducting paths and enhance shielding effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional cage structure is used to block electromagnetic radiation, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but gaps between the plug and cage allow radiation to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spring seals made from flexible conductive material that can deform and conform to the plug surface. These spring seals are mounted on the cage and press against the conductive exterior of the plug, creating reliable electrical contact that blocks electromagnetic radiation. The flexibility allows the seals to maintain contact despite manufacturing tolerances and plug insertion variations, effectively closing gaps between rigid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring seals act as intermediary elements between the cage and the plug. Rather than relying solely on direct contact between rigid cage walls and plug surface, the spring seals mediate the connection, providing a compliant conductive path that bridges the gap. This intermediary layer ensures continuous electrical contact for EMI shielding while accommodating dimensional variations.
2Reliability
If spring seals are added to block radiation through gaps, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring seal structure is segmented into multiple contact points along the cage opening. Rather than using a single continuous seal, multiple discrete spring seal elements are distributed around the perimeter. Each segment independently provides shielding at its location, and the segmented design allows for easier manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance while achieving comprehensive coverage.
3Reliability
If the conductive path length is reduced to improve high-frequency performance, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the spring seals, including the curvature radius, thickness, and spacing of the spring fingers. By carefully controlling these parameters, the conductive path length is minimized while maintaining adequate spring pressure for reliable contact. The spring finger thickness and curvature are specifically designed to achieve optimal electrical contact with minimal path length, balancing manufacturing capabilities with high-frequency performance requirements.
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 spring seal significantly reduces electromagnetic interference by compressing to form short conducting paths between the transceiver and the cage, thereby enhancing the shielding effectiveness and improving high-frequency performance.
Implementation Method 1
The cage may have one or more channels, each shaped to receive a plug and aligned with both a panel opening and a mating interface of a receptacle. The plug may be inserted through the panel opening into the channel, such that the plug and receptacle mate inside the cage. In this state, the cage blocks radiation from inside the device from reaching the panel opening.
Implementation Method 2
The spring seal may comprise a conductive sheet comprising a plurality of peaks separated in the insertion direction. Each of the plurality of seals may comprise a corrugated sheet comprising a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, with conducting paths between each of the plurality of peaks and an adjacent valley of the plurality of valleys having a length of 1 mm or less.
Data Source
AI summary
A spring seal for a cage of a high speed I/O connector, such as those compliant with an OSFP standard. The spring seal suppresses resonances in the operating frequency range of the connector in a space between the cage and a transceiver inserted in a channel of the cage to mate with the I/O connector. The spring seal has multiple peaks, separated by valleys, with short conducting paths between the peaks and valleys. The spring seal may connect a conductive exterior of the transceiver to a wall of the cage, with the peaks contacting a conductive exterior of the transceiver and the valleys contacting walls of the cage. The spring seal may have a plurality of slits that reduce the spring force while providing conducting paths between peaks and valleys.