Transceiver Module Side Contact Spring Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shielded copper communications cables face intermittent and unreliable chassis ground connections due to wear and tear and dimensional variations between plugs and jacks, leading to degraded grounding electrical conductors.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver module with a side contact spring portion that establishes a reliable chassis ground connection by electrically connecting with both the housing and the conductive element of a shielded plug, allowing the bail to move without disrupting the contact, ensuring a constant and reliable grounding even with wear and tear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional grounding electrical conductors are used in plugs and jacks, then the structure is simple, but the grounding connection becomes intermittent and unreliable due to wear and tear and dimensional variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static grounding conductors with a dynamic spring portion that can move and deform. The spring portion is configured to move with the bail lever while maintaining continuous electrical contact with the conductive element, allowing the grounding connection to adapt to dimensional variations and wear without becoming intermittent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the grounding conductor from a rigid structure to a flexible spring element. This change in physical state allows the grounding connection to maintain reliability despite dimensional variations between plugs and jacks, as the spring can deform to accommodate these variations while maintaining electrical contact.
2Ease of operation
If the bail lever is made moveable to allow module removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the grounding connection may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making both the bail lever and the grounding spring dynamic. The spring portion is specifically configured to move with the bail lever during insertion and removal operations, maintaining continuous electrical contact throughout the motion range. This allows the module to be easily removed while the grounding connection remains stable and uninterrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies nesting by placing the grounding spring portion within the jack structure in such a way that it is engaged by the conductive element when the plug is inserted. The spring is nested within the path of the bail lever motion, allowing it to move with the bail while maintaining contact, thus enabling both easy operation and reliable grounding.
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 side contact spring portion provides a consistent and reliable grounding for shielded cables, preventing the degradation of connections and ensuring proper operation of the transceiver module despite wear and tear and dimensional mismatches.
Implementation Method 1
a side contact spring portion substantially implemented within the jack, wherein the side contact spring portion is configured to be in electrical contact with both the housing and a conductive element of the shielded plug
Data Source
AI summary
A transceiver module that utilizes a side contact spring portion to ground a shielded cable that is plugged into the transceiver module. In one example embodiment, a transceiver module includes a housing, a jack, and a side contact spring portion. The housing is operative to be electrically connected to chassis ground when the transceiver module is received within a host port. The jack is defined in the housing and operative to receive a shielded plug. The side contact spring portion is substantially implemented within the jack and is configured to be in electrical contact with both the housing and a conductive element of the shielded plug received by the jack such that a chassis ground is established between the housing and the shielded plug and such that a moveable bail pivot lever is able to move without disrupting the electrical contact between the side contact spring portion and the housing and/or the conductive element of the shielded plug.