Stacked Ground Contacts for Reduced Connector Insert Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector receptacles face challenges in achieving a short depth, high signal integrity, and low insertion loss while maintaining reliability, especially with high data rates and frequent use.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves positioning ground contacts between the front opening and signal/power contacts in the connector insert, with openings above the signal contacts to reduce capacitance and prevent deformation, and using tape to isolate signal contacts from the shield, ensuring minimal length and thickness while maintaining a strong electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground contacts are placed in front of signal contacts to provide shielding and reliable connection, then signal integrity and reliability are improved, but connector insert depth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground contacts are arranged in a stacked configuration above the signal contacts rather than extending the connector depth in the traditional linear direction. This vertical stacking in the Z-dimension allows the ground path to be achieved without increasing the connector insert depth along the X-axis, effectively resolving the contradiction between reliability and length.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground contacts are positioned within the same connector insert housing as the signal contacts, with the ground contacts located above the signal contacts. This nested arrangement allows both ground and signal contacts to coexist in a compact space, achieving reliable grounding without proportionally increasing the overall connector depth.
2Reliability
If ground contacts are placed close to signal contacts to reduce capacitance, then signal integrity is improved, but risk of deformation and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground contacts are designed with specific local characteristics: they are positioned above the signal contacts to minimize capacitance, but are also given sufficient length to provide adequate lever arm for connection force. This localized optimization of ground contact geometry allows simultaneous achievement of low capacitance and high durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground contacts are designed with optimized dimensional parameters, specifically having sufficient length to provide enough force along a lever arm while maintaining minimal spacing above signal contacts. This parameter optimization balances the competing requirements of reducing capacitance (requiring minimal spacing) and preventing deformation (requiring sufficient length).
3Length of moving object
If connector insert depth is reduced to minimize device space, then device compactness is improved, but signal integrity and insertion loss performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ground path is achieved by utilizing the vertical dimension above the signal contacts rather than extending the connector depth horizontally. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the connector insert depth to be minimized while still providing adequate ground path length for signal integrity through the vertical stacking arrangement.
4Reliability
If ground contacts have sufficient length to provide connection force, then reliability is improved, but connector insert depth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground contacts derive connection force through their vertical arrangement above the signal contacts, utilizing the lever arm principle in the vertical dimension. This allows sufficient ground contact length for reliable connection while keeping the horizontal connector insert depth minimal, as the force-generating length extends vertically rather than horizontally.
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 enhances signal integrity and reduces insertion loss, ensuring reliable and durable connector inserts and receptacles that meet high data transfer standards with reduced wear and tear.
Implementation Method 1
These front ground contacts may further contact a shield surrounding the signal and power contacts in the insert. This arrangement may provide something at least akin to a Faraday cage to shield the signal and power contacts in the insert.
Implementation Method 2
This arrangement would, without more, increase a capacitance of the signal pins to ground since the spacing between the signal pins and the ground contacts would be minimal. This in turn would reduce signal impedance and degrade signal integrity and increase insertion losses. Accordingly, to reduce the capacitance between the ground contacts and the signal contacts below the ground contacts, embodiments of the present invention may provide ground contacts that may have one or more openings
Data Source
AI summary
Connector inserts having a high signal integrity and low insertion loss by shielding signal contacts. One example may provide one or more ground contacts between a front opening and signal pins of a connector insert. These ground contacts may have sufficient lever arm to provide a good contact to a corresponding contact in a connector receptacle. To avoid excessive length in the connector insert, embodiments of the present invention may stack a portion of the ground contact above the signal contacts in the connector insert. To reduce excessive capacitance that would otherwise reduce signal impedance, one or more openings may be formed in the ground contacts. To prevent signal contacts from shorting to a shield through this opening, the opening may be covered by tape. The ground contacts may be positioned to avoid encountering power contacts in the receptacle when the insert is inserted into the receptacle.