Twisted-Pair Cable End Coating for Impedance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The characteristic impedance in the untwisted area of twisted pair cables used in automotive ethernet connections exceeds the required limits for reliable data transmission, particularly for 100BASE-T1 and 1000BASE-T1 standards, due to the need for connectors which require the wires to be untwisted, leading to increased impedance.

Innovation Solution

Applying a layer of non-magnetic and electrically conductive material, such as graphene, to the insulators of the untwisted wire ends in the cable end section to increase parasitic capacitance, thereby reducing the characteristic impedance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wires are untwisted at the cable end section to connect with connectors, then the ease of operation is improved, but the characteristic impedance increases beyond required limits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connector connectionVSAvoidcharacteristic impedance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a conductive coating layer specifically to the insulators in the untwisted cable end section, creating a localized modification that compensates for the impedance increase caused by untwisting, while leaving the rest of the cable structure unchanged

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the electrical parameters of the cable end section by adding a conductive coating layer with specific properties (conductivity, thickness, magnetic permeability) to alter the capacitance and thereby compensate for the characteristic impedance increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a layer of non-magnetic and electrically conductive material is applied to the insulators, then the characteristic impedance is decreased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacteristic impedanceVSAvoidcable structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite material structure by combining the existing insulator material with an additional conductive coating layer, creating a multi-layer composite that provides both insulation and the necessary electrical properties for impedance control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 application of a non-magnetic and electrically conductive material layer on the insulators of the untwisted wire ends effectively decreases the characteristic impedance, ensuring compliance with automotive ethernet standards for data transfer rates of 100 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps by reducing impedance to within the required limits.

Implementation Method 1

As a result of the layer of non-magnetic and electrically conductive material on the insulators of the pair of wires of the cable end section the parasitic capacitance is increased in this area, decreasing the characteristic impedance.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParasitic capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4471996A1Electrical cable and method of manufacturing an electrical cable
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 YAZAKI EUROPE LTD
  • EP4471996A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4471996A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4471996A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electrical cable, in particular for data transmission, comprising: a pair of wires (1, 2) twisted together, each wire (1, 2) having a conductor (3, 4) covered with an insulator (5, 6), and a cable end section (7, 18, 20), along which the pair of wires (1, 2) is untwisted, wherein over a part of the cable end section (7, 18, 20) the insulators (5, 6) are removed from ends (8, 9) of the wires (1, 2), wherein the insulators (5, 6) of the pair of wires (1, 2) of the cable end section (7, 18, 20) are each covered with a layer of non-magnetic and electrically conductive material (14, 15).