Tri-conducting RCA Connectors for Balanced Audio Interfaces

Solution Overview

Problem

Consumer electronic equipment interfaces, particularly unbalanced interfaces using RCA connectors, are highly susceptible to interference due to their design, leading to signal degradation and noise issues, whereas balanced interfaces offer better immunity but are often more expensive and larger in size, limiting their adoption.

Innovation Solution

The development of tri-conducting RCA-compatible connectors that maintain electrical isolation between conductive components, allowing for balanced or unbalanced interfaces with improved interference rejection, while maintaining compatibility with conventional bi-conducting RCA connectors and cables, thus enhancing signal interface performance without requiring significant changes to existing equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional bi-conducting RCA connectors are used for unbalanced interfaces, then cost-effectiveness and compact size are maintained, but immunity to interference is poor leading to signal degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmunity to interferenceVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer conductor is segmented into two separate outer socket contacts (first and second outer socket contacts) that are electrically isolated from each other, transforming the single outer conductor of traditional RCA connectors into two independent conductive paths. This segmentation enables the connector to support balanced interfaces while maintaining the physical form factor of conventional RCA connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tri-conducting RCA-compatible connector is designed to provide multiple interface types (balanced and unbalanced) through a single connector structure. By incorporating three conductive elements (center receptacle, first outer socket contact, second outer socket contact) that can be configured differently, the connector achieves multi-functionality, serving both balanced and unbalanced audio interfaces without requiring separate connector types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If balanced interfaces are used to improve interference immunity, then signal quality is enhanced, but cost and size increase limiting adoption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference immunityVSAvoidconnector size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The outer conductor is segmented into two separate outer socket contacts (first and second outer socket contacts) that are electrically isolated from each other, transforming the single outer conductor of traditional RCA connectors into two independent conductive paths. This segmentation enables the connector to support balanced interfaces while maintaining the physical form factor of conventional RCA connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a longitudinal separation dimension to the traditionally radially arranged conductors. By positioning the first and second outer socket contacts at different longitudinal positions along the center receptacle axis, the patent creates a three-dimensional conductor arrangement that enables balanced interface functionality within the compact cylindrical form factor of RCA connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If balanced interfaces are used to improve interference immunity, then signal quality is enhanced, but cost increases limiting adoption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference immunityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tri-conducting RCA-compatible connector is designed to provide multiple interface types (balanced and unbalanced) through a single connector structure. By incorporating three conductive elements (center receptacle, first outer socket contact, second outer socket contact) that can be configured differently, the connector achieves multi-functionality, serving both balanced and unbalanced audio interfaces without requiring separate connector types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The outer conductor is segmented into two separate outer socket contacts (first and second outer socket contacts) that are electrically isolated from each other, transforming the single outer conductor of traditional RCA connectors into two independent conductive paths. This segmentation enables the connector to support balanced interfaces while maintaining the physical form factor of conventional RCA connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8100715B2RCA-compatible connectors for balanced and unbalanced interfaces

Publication Date: 2012.01.24 WHITLOCK WILLIAM E

AI summary

A socket connector includes a conductive center receptacle, first outer socket contact having a first socket contact surface, second outer socket contact having a second socket contact surface, and non-conductive socket body. The socket contact surfaces are separated longitudinally along an axis of the receptacle. The socket body maintains the socket contacts electrically isolated from each other and the receptacle whenever the socket connector is not mated with a bi-conducting plug connector. A plug connector includes a conductive center pin, first outer plug contact having a first plug contact surface, second outer plug contact having a second plug contact surface, annular insulator, and non-conductive plug body. The plug contact surfaces are separated longitudinally along an axis of the pin. The plug body and insulator maintain the plug contacts electrically isolated from each other and the pin whenever the plug connector is not mated with a bi-conducting socket connector.