USB 3.0 Connector Ground Contact Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing USB 3.0 connectors have soldering legs arranged in a manner that increases crosstalk due to their positioning in front and rear rows, which is not optimal for efficient signal transfer.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design features both first and second soldering legs arranged in a single row, with the second soldering legs of the ground contact spaced laterally and all first soldering legs positioned between the second soldering legs of the ground contact, enhancing their alignment and cooperation for improved signal transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If soldering legs are arranged in front and rear rows according to USB 3.0 specification, then all soldering legs can be mounted on the same side of the tongue plate, but crosstalk increases due to non-optimal positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-row arrangement (front and rear rows) to a single-row arrangement, changing the dimensional organization of soldering legs. This dimensional reorganization allows all soldering legs to be positioned in one row on the same side of the tongue plate, optimizing spatial configuration to reduce crosstalk while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different positioning strategies to different types of contacts. Signal contacts are arranged with their soldering legs in one row, while ground contacts are positioned between them. This local differentiation in arrangement optimizes the electrical characteristics for each contact type, reducing crosstalk for signal contacts while maintaining proper grounding.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ground contacts are positioned between differential contact pairs, then crosstalk is reduced, but the arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contact arrangement into distinct functional groups: signal contact pairs (differential contacts) and ground contacts. By placing ground contacts between the differential contact pairs, the arrangement is divided into separable units that can be independently optimized. This segmentation reduces electromagnetic coupling between signal pairs while maintaining a systematic, repeatable pattern that manages complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector comprises an insulative housing having a base portion, a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion, the tongue portion being thinner than the base portion; a metal shell attached to the base portion to enclose the tongue portion to define a receiving room therebetween; a plurality of contacts including a plurality of first contacts and a plurality of second contacts, the first contacts each defining a first contacting arm and a first soldering leg, the second contacts each defining a second contacting arm and a second soldering leg; and wherein the first soldering legs and the second soldering legs are arranged in one row, the contacts at least include a first pair of differential contacts adjacent to each other, a second pair of differential contacts adjacent to each other, a pair of ground contacts adjacent to each other and positioned between the first pair of differential contacts and the second pair of differential contacts.