Twinaxial Cable Retainer Assembly for High-Speed Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Common printed circuit board (PCB) materials do not perform well with increasing data rates, necessitating costly high-performance materials and repeater/retimer components, while twinaxial cables are sought to replace PCB traces for high-speed data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A retainer assembly configured to be inserted into a plug housing, comprising a retainer housing with a circuit board and cables, where the cables' conductors are bonded to the board using adhesive and latching members for secure engagement, allowing for either straight or right-angle cable exit configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If common PCB materials are used for high-speed data transmission, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but transmission performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-speed data transmission function from the PCB trace and relocates it to a separate twinaxial cable assembly. The cable assembly includes a circuit board with twinaxial cables that can be connected to the PCB via connectors, allowing the transmission function to be separated from the PCB structure. This enables the use of common PCB materials while achieving high-performance transmission through specialized cable technology.
2Reliability
If twinaxial cables are used to replace PCB traces, then data transmission performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cable retention function and electrical connection function into an integrated connector assembly. The retainer assembly combines mechanical retention features (latching members, housing structures) with electrical connection features (contact members, circuit board integration) into a single unified component that secures the twinaxial cable to the PCB while establishing electrical connectivity.
3Reliability
If retainer assembly is securely latched to plug housing, then connection reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the latching mechanism into modular components: a retainer assembly with integrated latching members that engages with corresponding features in the plug housing. The latching function is divided into discrete elements (latching members, engagement features, housing structures) that can be independently designed and manufactured, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining secure connection.
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 solution enables efficient high-speed data transmission without the need for costly PCB materials, using twinaxial cables to replace PCB traces, thereby addressing the limitations of existing PCB materials and repeater/retimer components.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive for bonding the conductors to the circuit board. The adhesive at least partially fills each through opening in the at least one top and bottom through openings and bonds the uninsulated front ends of the conductors in the corresponding exposed termination region to the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer assembly configured to be inserted into a plug housing to form a plug connector includes a retainer housing including a top housing portion and a bottom housing portion, a circuit board partially disposed between the top and bottom housing portions, at least one substantially flat top cable including a plurality of conductors, at least one substantially flat bottom cable including a plurality of conductors, and an adhesive for bonding the conductors to the circuit board. The top and bottom housing portions each define at least one top through opening therein and each include mating latching members. The plurality of conductors of the flat top and bottom cables are terminated at top and bottom termination regions on the circuit board, respectively, and are aligned with and exposed through the corresponding through openings. The adhesive at least partially fills each through opening and bonds the conductors in the corresponding exposed termination region to the circuit board.