Plug Contact Layout Using Vertical Stacking for Equal Signal Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for twisted-pair cables require significant horizontal installation space due to identical contacts arranged parallel to each other, which is often limited in modern data processing systems, while vertical space is more abundant.
Innovation Solution
The contact device features first and second contacts with non-identical geometries, allowing them to be arranged vertically one above the other, with coupling ends side by side, reducing horizontal space requirements while maintaining equal signal propagation times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If contacts are arranged next to each other in a conventional plug receptacle, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the installation space requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional horizontal arrangement of contacts to a three-dimensional configuration where contacts are positioned at different vertical levels. The first contact has its contact end extending in a first direction while the second contact has its contact end extending in a second direction, utilizing vertical space to reduce horizontal footprint on the carrier board.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric contact geometry where the first and second contacts have different orientations and paths. The shortest distance from coupling end to contact end differs between contacts, with one contact having a longer path including bends or meander sections to achieve equal electrical length despite different spatial configurations.
2Reliability
If contacts have equal length to ensure constant capacitance, then signal integrity is maintained, but the horizontal space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the vertical dimension and allowing contacts to extend in different directions, the patent achieves equal electrical length through three-dimensional routing rather than horizontal placement. This enables maintaining signal integrity while reducing the horizontal area occupied by the connector.
3Productivity
If more contact devices are accommodated on a carrier board, then data transmission capacity increases, but the space constraints become more severe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the horizontal footprint of each contact device by utilizing vertical space and three-dimensional contact routing. This allows multiple connector receptacles to be arranged more densely on the carrier board, increasing the number of data transmission channels within the same physical area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention comprises a contact device (100, 200, 300) for receiving a plug end, wherein the contact device (100, 200, 300) has a first contact (104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704) having a first coupling end (105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 705) and a first contact end (106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606, 706), and a second contact (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710) having a second coupling end (111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711) and a second contact end (112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712), wherein the coupling ends are configured to electrically couple the respective contact with a receiving device (217), and wherein the contact ends are configured to electrically connect the respective contact with a contact element of the plug end, wherein the shortest distance between the first coupling end (105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 705) and the first contact end (106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606,706) not equal to the shortest distance between the second coupling end (111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711) and the second contact end (112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712), and wherein the total length of the first contact (104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704) is equal to the total length of the second contact (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710), in particular plus a specified tolerance value.