Stepped Ground Contacts for Compact High-Speed Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for smaller profile electrical connectors capable of high-speed differential signal transmission, as existing connectors are not optimized for reduced size and high-speed applications.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design features a first and second ground contact with orthogonal extensions, where the upper and lower contact portions are stepped and positioned adjacent to each other, along with signal contacts, to enhance signal transmission and noise suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional electrical connector designs are used, then signal transmission capability is maintained, but connector size and profile cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ground contact portions are arranged in multiple layers (upper and lower grounds) stacked vertically, transitioning from a planar two-dimensional arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. This allows the connector to maintain effective ground shielding and signal transmission quality while reducing the horizontal footprint and overall connector profile, thereby achieving size reduction without compromising signal integrity
2Length of stationary object
If ground contacts are arranged in a compact configuration, then connector profile is reduced, but noise suppression capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The upper and lower ground contact portions are nested in a stacked vertical arrangement, with each ground layer positioned adjacent to signal contacts. This nested configuration allows multiple ground shielding functions to be integrated within a compact vertical space, maintaining effective noise suppression and electromagnetic interference shielding while minimizing the connector's horizontal profile and overall size
3Area of stationary object
If signal contacts are closely spaced, then connector width is reduced, but signal integrity and crosstalk performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a two-dimensional lateral arrangement of contacts to a three-dimensional stacked configuration where upper and lower ground contacts are vertically positioned. This dimensional change allows signal contacts to be closely spaced horizontally (reducing footprint) while maintaining signal integrity through the added vertical ground shielding layers that prevent crosstalk and electromagnetic interference
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector is provided with a first ground contact and a second ground contact. The first ground contact includes a first ground coupling portion and a pair of first ground contact portions extending substantially orthogonal from the first ground coupling portion. The pair of first ground contact portions includes a first upper ground contact portion stepped from a first lower ground contact portion. The second ground contact includes a second ground coupling portion and a pair of second ground contact portions extending substantially orthogonal from the second ground coupling portion. The pair of second ground contact portions includes a second upper ground contact portion stepped from a second lower ground contact portion. The second ground contact is positioned with the first ground contact such that their respective upper or lower ground contact portions are adjacent to each other.