Circuit board connection system, device and method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides circuit board connection systems, devices, and methods. A system (400 / 2) is used to enable surface-socket-edge (110, 112) connection of circuit boards. A primary board (102-1) includes a socket (106) through its surface. At least one edge (110) of the socket includes an electrical contact to the primary board (102-1). A secondary board (104-1) includes a connection component (108) mounted on a surface opposite the surface of the primary board (102-1). When the connection component (108) is aligned with the socket (106), the connection component (108) can protrude vertically through the socket (106) in addition to moving laterally toward the edge (106) of the socket. The electrical contact on the socket (106) edge can engage with an electrical contact in the connection component (108). This enables closely setting two boards with a secure connection provided by the connection attached to the secondary board rather than the primary board without extending the primary surface in an orthogonal or lateral direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a system for connecting circuit boards, and to a main circuit board and an auxiliary circuit board used in the connected components. Specifically, this disclosure relates to a circuit board arrangement for allowing expansion of functionality on a first circuit board by connecting an auxiliary circuit board. This disclosure also relates to an assembly method and software for controlling the assembly process. Background Technology

[0002] Some devices may include printed circuit boards (PCBs), which, when configured as a first board or motherboard, have one or both surfaces for supporting components, circuitry, and electrical connections for interfacing with other devices and systems, including device-auxiliary boards. To facilitate connection with second, auxiliary, or “daughter” boards, such as to provide additional or upgraded functionality, electrical connections mounted to the motherboard or “mother” board can be used to physically (e.g., mechanically) and electrically connect the motherboard to components and circuitry on the auxiliary board. For example, an electrical connection can physically secure an entire edge or a portion of the auxiliary board to a surface of the motherboard. Electrical connections can provide right-angle or straight connections. Straight or flat interfaces facilitate coplanar or parallel extension of the motherboard surface; right-angle interfaces extend the motherboard surface in an orthogonal direction. When mating with a connector, electrical contacts at the fixed portion of the auxiliary board are electrically connected to corresponding contacts within the connector. A disadvantage of this conventional setup is that the final assembly, with the motherboard and auxiliary boards mounted planar or orthogonally, is very large. Furthermore, even if the auxiliary board is not initially provided, space is required to accommodate it as part of the device housing design for mounting the motherboard. Therefore, even without the addition of auxiliary boards, the significant space requirements of frequently combined components remain valid.

[0003] Some auxiliary boards (such as mini PCIe) may also require motherboards to support special or dedicated connectors, which increases complexity and cost. For some applications, integrating such connectors into the motherboard may be unnecessary, thus incurring unnecessary costs.

[0004] Therefore, the aforementioned shortcomings in printed circuit board connectors and assemblies still need to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This article describes the techniques and systems for achieving surface-slot-edge connections on circuit boards.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a system is provided, comprising: a first circuit board including slots through two surfaces of the first circuit board and a first electrical interface disposed at or near an edge of the slots; and a second circuit board including a surface and a connecting member protruding from the surface and configured to protrude through the slots, wherein the connecting member includes a second electrical interface capable of connecting to the first electrical interface when the connecting member is positioned to protrude through the slots to establish at least one electrical connection between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

[0007] In one embodiment, the connecting component is configured to secure the second circuit board to the first circuit board at or near the edge of the slot.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface each include a plurality of electrical contacts, and the connecting member is configured to fix the second circuit board to the first circuit board to maintain an electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the first electrical interface and the electrical contacts of the second electrical interface.

[0009] In one embodiment, the connecting component includes a joint configured to engage with the first circuit board at or near the slot to support the second circuit board relative to the first circuit board.

[0010] In one embodiment, the joint includes a notch for engaging the two surfaces of the first circuit board.

[0011] In one embodiment, the engagement is configured to retain the edge of the slot or a portion thereof.

[0012] In one embodiment, the joint is configured to form a press-fit fastening to the first circuit board at or near the edge of the slot.

[0013] In one embodiment, the connecting member is configured such that when the engagement portion engages with the first circuit board, the connecting member supports the second circuit board in a plane parallel to the first circuit board.

[0014] In one implementation, the first electrical interface can be incorporated into the second electrical interface.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second electrical interface includes an interface port for receiving the first electrical interface.

[0016] According to a second aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a first circuit board including slots through two surfaces of the first circuit board, and a first electrical interface disposed at or near the edge of the slot, the first circuit board being received at or near the edge of the slot by the connecting member when the connecting member of the second circuit board is positioned to protrude through the slot to connect the second electrical interface of the connecting member to the first electrical interface to establish at least one electrical connection between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

[0017] According to a third aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising: a second circuit board including a surface and a connecting member, the connecting member protruding from the surface and configured to protrude through slots on both surfaces of a first circuit board, wherein the connecting member includes a second electrical interface capable of connecting to a first electrical interface of the first circuit board when the connecting member is positioned to protrude through the slots to establish at least one electrical connection between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect, a circuit board connection method is provided, comprising: providing a first circuit board having a slot through two surfaces and a first electrical interface disposed at or near the edge of the slot; providing a second circuit board having a surface and a connecting member protruding from the surface and configured to protrude through the slot, wherein the connecting member includes a second electrical interface; positioning the connecting member above or below the first circuit board and aligning it with the slot; and moving the connecting member relative to the first circuit board to insert the connecting member into the slot and engage the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface to establish at least one electrical connection between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

[0019] In one embodiment, the step of moving the connecting component includes vertically inserting the connecting component into the slot and laterally moving the connecting component to engage the second electrical interface with the first electrical interface.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to control an assembly machine to perform the methods described above.

[0021] In one embodiment, the assembly machine includes one or more robots for performing the methods described above. In another embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium includes instructions, when executed, that cause a processor to control the one or more robots via a connection interface.

[0022] Other examples illustrated herein relate to systems and apparatuses, including systems having units for performing these methods. This aspect describes a simplified concept for implementing surface-to-slot-to-edge connections on circuit boards, as further described in the detailed description and accompanying drawings. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to define the scope of the claimed subject matter. Attached Figure Description

[0023] An exemplary embodiment incorporating a circuit board surface-slot-edge connection will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 An example system using a circuit board surface-slot-edge connection according to the technology of this disclosure is illustrated; Figure 2A A top or bottom view of a circuit board including surface-slot-edge connections according to the technology of this disclosure is illustrated; Figure 2B Examples Figure 2A The cross-sectional side view of the circuit board shown; Figure 3A A top view of a circuit board according to the present disclosure is illustrated, the circuit board including a surface-mounted connection member configured to engage using a surface-slot-edge connection. Figure 3B Examples Figure 3A The circuit board shown is a bottom view to illustrate an under-surface mounting connector configured to utilize a surface-slot-edge connection according to the technology of this disclosure. Figure 3C Examples Figure 3A Side view of the circuit board shown; Figure 3D Examples Figure 3C The circuit board shown is a cross-sectional bottom view. Figures 4A to 4D A conceptual diagram illustrating a surface-slot-edge connection between a motherboard and an auxiliary board according to the technology of this disclosure is shown; and Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example process for forming a surface-slot-edge connection between two circuit boards according to the technology of this disclosure is provided.

[0024] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are frequently used to refer to similar features and parts, including variations of the same features and parts indicated by hyphens. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Overview

[0026] A motherboard, such as a PCB, may include at least one surface supporting components, circuitry, and electrical interfaces for connection to other devices and systems, including auxiliary boards. In a conventional setup, electrical connectors may be mounted to the surface of the motherboard to physically (e.g., mechanically) and electrically connect the motherboard to components and circuitry on the auxiliary board. For example, an electrical connector may physically secure an entire edge or a portion of the auxiliary board to the surface of the motherboard, thereby providing an orthogonal or linear connection between the two. When mating with the connector, electrical contacts at the fixed portion of the auxiliary board are electrically connected to corresponding contacts within the connector. The embodiments described herein provide a more economical and compact device by avoiding the need for dedicated connectors and surface extensions in parallel and orthogonal directions for the motherboard.

[0027] In this regard, techniques and systems for achieving surface-to-slot-to-edge connections on circuit boards are described. In one embodiment, a first motherboard includes a slot extending through the surface of the motherboard. At least one edge of the slot includes electrical contacts for the motherboard. A second auxiliary board includes a connecting member mounted on a surface of the auxiliary board opposite to the surface of the motherboard. When the connecting member is aligned with the slot, it can be inserted to protrude vertically (e.g., perpendicularly) through the slot. The connecting member can then be moved laterally toward the edge of the slot. Electrical contacts on the edge of the slot can then engage with electrical contacts in the connecting member. This allows the two boards to be tightly fitted without extending the main surfaces in the orthogonal or lateral directions. Simultaneously, a secure connection can be provided using a connector attached to the auxiliary board instead of being mounted to the motherboard.

[0028] Example System

[0029] Figure 1 An example system 100 using a circuit board surface-slot-edge connection according to the technology of this disclosure is illustrated. System 100 can be part of any type of device that uses a circuit board. For example, system 100 can be a computer system (e.g., a server, workstation), a vehicle (e.g., an automotive system, an aircraft system), a robot, a satellite, an industrial system (e.g., a power plant), or other applications that use circuit boards.

[0030] System 100 includes two circuit boards, circuit board 102 and circuit board 104, each circuit board in Figure 1 The diagram is shown in top view. Circuit boards 102 and 104 can be formed from a substrate or other materials. Circuit board 102 can be a main circuit board, and circuit board 104 can be an auxiliary circuit board. Circuit boards 102 and 104 can support various components and circuits (e.g., chips, processors, memory, wires, traces); however, for ease of description and simplification of the drawings, details of circuit boards 102 and 104 are omitted, and only those features supporting surface-to-slot-to-edge connections are shown.

[0031] To achieve a surface-slot-edge connection between circuit boards 102 and 104, a slot 106 protrudes through circuit board 102, leaving holes or windows through both surfaces of circuit board 102. Additionally, a connecting member 108 is mounted on the lower surface of circuit board 104. The slot 106 and connecting member 108 can have various shapes and sizes, including rectangular, square, circular, irregular, or other shapes. The connecting member 108 is typically smaller than the slot 106 to allow vertical and lateral movement within the slot 106. The slot 106 includes an electrical interface 110 located at its edge. Therefore, electrical contacts can be positioned on or near the periphery of the slot 106 on the first circuit board 102, for example, along the longitudinal edge of the slot or at multiple edges forming its corners. The connecting member 108 also includes an electrical interface 112 configured to mate with the electrical interface 110 when the connecting member 108 engages in the slot 106. In one embodiment, the electrical interface 112 on the second circuit board 104 may be provided as an interface port or slot for receiving the electrical interface 110 on the first circuit board 102.

[0032] Slot 106 and connecting member 108 are configured to provide a surface-slot-edge connection between circuit boards 102 and 104. This connection allows the opposing surfaces of the two circuit boards 102 and 104 to be closely positioned, which facilitates integration in a small form factor. Furthermore, these connections do not extend the surface of circuit board 102 in an orthogonal direction, nor does circuit board 104 need to extend beyond the edge of circuit board 102; each of these factors contributes to integration in a small form factor.

[0033] Directed arrow 114 illustrates the formation of a surface-slot-edge connection. As circuit board 104 moves with directed arrow 114, it becomes parallel to and aligned with circuit board 102. Specifically, the connecting member 108 on the bottom surface of circuit board 104 is located above or below slot 106. At this point, the two circuit boards 102 and 104 can be brought closer together. This causes the connecting member 108 to protrude into slot 106. Since the connecting member 108 is vertically positioned through slot 106, circuit board 104 can move further laterally along directed arrow 114 and toward the edge of slot 106, where electrical interface 110 (e.g., electrical contact) can engage with electrical interface 112 (e.g., electrical contact) in the connecting member 108 located within slot 106. In this way, the two boards 102 and 104 can be arranged closely parallel, with a secure surface-slot-edge connection provided by the connecting member 108 attached to circuit board 104.

[0034] By including connection components on an auxiliary board instead of on the motherboard surface, surface-to-slot (STO) edge connections offer significant cost advantages over other connection technologies. Furthermore, STO allows for PCB designs that provide connections from most locations within the PCB surface. Therefore, connections are not limited to a single edge of the PCB, thus promoting greater flexibility in circuit design. For example, the length of connection traces for transmitting high-speed signals can be shortened.

[0035] Example motherboard

[0036] Figure 2A A top or bottom view of a circuit board including surface-slot-edge connections according to the technology of this disclosure is illustrated. Circuit board 102 is shown having a slot 106 and an electrical interface 110 at one edge of the slot 106. Figure 2B Examples Figure 2A The diagram shows a cross-sectional side view of the circuit board. The circuit board 102 is shown as having a slot 106 extending through both surfaces of the circuit board. Section A bisects the slot and shows a portion of an electrical interface 110 on the edge of the slot 106. The electrical interface 110 may be located on or near the surface of the circuit board 102, or within the slot 106 (e.g., on the wall of the slot 106).

[0037] Example auxiliary board

[0038] Figure 3A A top view of a circuit board according to the present disclosure is illustrated, the circuit board including under-surface mounting connection members configured to engage using surface-slot-edge connections. Although many components or circuits may be positioned on the top or bottom surface of the circuit board 104, the circuit board 104 is shown as having no components on the top surface opposite the surface supporting the connection member 108 (shown in dashed lines). Figure 3B Examples Figure 3A The diagram shows a bottom view of the circuit board, illustrating an under-surface mount connector configured to utilize a surface-slot-edge connection according to the technology of this disclosure. Although the notch 300 and electrical interface 112 described below are not shown, the outline of the connector 108 is shown in this view.

[0039] Figure 3C It shows Figure 3AThe diagram shows a side view of the circuit board. From this side view, the connecting member 108 is shown mounted to the lower surface of the circuit board 104. The connecting member 108 may include a notch 300 that provides support and facilitates physical securing of the second circuit board 104 after connection, for example by forming a press fit when engaging with the opposing surface of the first circuit board 102. Therefore, the notch 300 serves as a retaining feature to help maintain the connection between the connecting member 108 and the edge of a slot (e.g., slot 106). In contrast to the opening of the receiving slot 106 of the notch 300, the connecting member 108 includes an electrical interface 112.

[0040] Figure 3D Examples Figure 3C The diagram shows a cross-sectional bottom view of the circuit board. This view reveals internal details of the connecting member 108, including an electrical interface 112 that extends the length of the connecting member 108 while leaving some empty space within the recess 300 to receive the circuit board 102.

[0041] Example Scenario

[0042] Figure 4A and Figure 4D A conceptual diagram illustrating a surface-to-slot-to-edge connection of a motherboard and auxiliary board according to the technology of this disclosure is shown. (Go to...) Figure 4A In conceptual diagram 400-1, auxiliary plate 104-1 is positioned above the surface of main board 102-1 to align connecting member 108 of auxiliary plate 104-1 with slot 106 of main board 102-1. By vertically moving auxiliary plate 104-1 closer to main board 102-1, connecting member 108 can be vertically moved into slot 106, thereby inserting into slot 106 in the vertical direction 402. The vertical direction of travel of connecting member 108 is perpendicular to the surface of main board 102-1 with slot 106.

[0043] exist Figure 4B In the conceptual diagram 400-2, the auxiliary plate 104-1 is allowed to move toward the edge of the slot 106 in the lateral direction 404 (perpendicular to the vertical direction 402). During assembly, this allows the interface 112 on the connecting part 108 of the auxiliary plate 104-1 to contact and engage with the interface 110 on the slot 106. Figure 4B This illustrates that some overlap may exist between interfaces 110 and 112.

[0044] Figure 4C and Figure 4DConceptual diagrams 400-3 and 400-4 illustrate an auxiliary board 104-1 and a main board 102-1 after a surface-slot-edge connection is formed between them. Conceptual diagram 400-3 shows a top view of the auxiliary board 104-1 stacked on the surface of the main board 102-1. Conceptual diagram 400-4 shows a bottom view of the main board 102-1, including a connecting member 108 of the auxiliary board 104-1 protruding through a slot 106 and engaging interfaces 110 and 112.

[0045] Example processing

[0046] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example process 500 for forming a surface-slot-edge connection between two circuit boards according to the technology of this disclosure is provided. The operations of process 500 can be rearranged, skipped, repeated, or performed in a manner different from the specific process shown in the figure. The processor, computer hardware components, controller, control unit, or other computer of a computer system can control a robot-based automated production line to form, for example... Figure 1 The system 100 shown performs the process 500. For example, manufacturing equipment, 3D printing technology, etc., can perform the process 500 to form a surface-slot-edge connection between the motherboard and the auxiliary board.

[0047] At 502, a first circuit board with slots extending through both surfaces is formed for surface-slot-edge connection to a second circuit board having connecting members. For example, a circuit board 102 is formed including a slot 106. The slot 106 is sized and shaped to receive a connecting member 108, including an interface 112 on the connecting member 108 electrically connected to the slot 106 by integrating an interface 110 on the edge of the slot 106.

[0048] In step 504, the connecting component of the second circuit board is positioned above or below the first circuit board and aligned with the slot. For example, circuit board 104 is configured such that connecting component 108 is positioned above slot 106 of circuit board 102.

[0049] At 506, the connecting component of the second circuit board is moved vertically into the slot and laterally within the slot to engage the connecting component with the electrical contacts on the slot. For example, the circuit board 104 is positioned closer to the circuit board 102 such that the connecting component 108 can move vertically 402 into the slot 106 and laterally 404 toward the edge having the interface 110.

[0050] Additional examples

[0051] Some additional examples of board surface-slot-edge connections include: Example 1. A system comprising: a first circuit board including slots through two surfaces of the first circuit board, the edges of the slots including electrical contacts to the first circuit board; and a second circuit board including a connecting member on an opposite side of one of the two surfaces of the first circuit board, the connecting member being disposed in the slots and configured to contact the electrical contacts at the edges of the slots.

[0052] Example 2. A system according to any of the foregoing examples, wherein the connecting component is configured to secure the second circuit board to the slot of the first circuit board.

[0053] Example 3. A system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the connecting member is configured to secure the second circuit board to the slot of the first circuit board to maintain an electrical connection between the contacts of the connecting member and the electrical contacts at the edge of the slot.

[0054] Example 4. A system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the connecting member includes a notch configured to provide support and physical security between the edges of the connecting member and the slot.

[0055] Example 5. A system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the notch is configured to retain the entire edge or a portion of the edge of the slot.

[0056] Example 6. An apparatus comprising: a main circuit board including slots through two surfaces of the main circuit board, the edges of the slots including electrical contacts to the main circuit board, the edges of the slots being configured to be received by a notch of the connecting member when a connecting member of an auxiliary circuit board is positioned within the slot.

[0057] Example 7. An apparatus comprising: an auxiliary circuit board including a surface having a connecting member configured to engage with an edge of the slot when the connecting member is positioned within a slot passing through two surfaces of a main circuit board.

[0058] Example 8. A method comprising: forming a first circuit board having a slot through two surfaces to achieve a surface-slot-edge connection with a second circuit board having a connecting member; forming a second circuit board having the connecting member on one surface; positioning the connecting member above or below the first circuit board and aligning it with the slot; and moving the connecting member vertically into the slot and laterally within the slot such that electrical contacts in the connecting member engage with electrical contacts on the edge of the slot.

[0059] Example 9. A computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to control an automated robotic production line to perform the method according to any of the preceding examples.

[0060] Example 10. An automated robotic production line system, including a processor configured to perform the method according to any of the preceding examples.

[0061] Example 11. A system comprising a unit for performing the method according to any of the preceding examples.

[0062] Summarize

[0063] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but can be implemented in various ways within the scope of the appended claims. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. In addition to printed circuit board connections, the described techniques can overcome problems associated with electrical connections used in other electrical or computer systems. Therefore, although described as an improved method of motherboard-to-daughterboard connection, the foregoing described techniques can be applied to and utilized for other problems related to electrical connections to components.

[0064] The use of “or” and grammatically related terms indicates a non-exclusive substitution without limitation unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the phrase referring to “at least one” in a list of items means any combination of those items, including individual members. As an example, “at least one of the following: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination of multiples of the same element (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbb, cc, and ccc, or any other order of a, b, and c).

[0065] Finally, it is conceivable that other arrangements could be provided, in which the first circuit board includes a notch or notch in its peripheral edge, instead of a slot. In this arrangement, the first electrical interface for the first circuit board can be located at or near the edge of the notch. The second circuit board can again include a connecting member projecting from its surface, configured to align with the notch so that it can extend between the notches to allow the second electrical interface to connect to the first electrical interface. Thus, as in the embodiments described above, at least one electrical connection can be established between the first and second circuit boards, wherein the first and second circuit boards are arranged closely parallel to each other, with a robust surface-notch-edge connection. Thus, as in the embodiments described above, a compact assembly of a main circuit board and an auxiliary circuit board can be provided, while a dedicated connector is disposed on the auxiliary board. Meanwhile, the recess forming the notch at the edge of the circuit board allows for maximizing space on the first circuit board.

Claims

1. A circuit board connection system, the circuit board connection system comprising: A first circuit board, the first circuit board including slots passing through two surfaces of the first circuit board and a first electrical interface disposed at or near the edge of the slot; as well as A second circuit board, comprising a surface and a connecting member, the connecting member projecting from the surface and configured to protrude through the slot. The connecting component includes a second electrical interface, which can be connected to the first electrical interface when the connecting component is positioned to protrude through the slot and is laterally moved relative to the first circuit board to establish at least one electrical connection between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. The connecting component includes a joint configured to engage with the first circuit board at or near the slot, thereby supporting the second circuit board in a plane parallel to the first circuit board. The joint includes a notch for engaging the two surfaces of the first circuit board.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting component is configured to secure the second circuit board to the first circuit board at or near the edge of the slot.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first electrical interface and the second electrical interface each include a plurality of electrical contacts, and the connecting component is configured to fix the second circuit board to the first circuit board to maintain an electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the first electrical interface and the electrical contacts of the second electrical interface.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The joint is configured to retain the edge of the slot or a portion thereof.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The joint is configured to form a press-fit fastening to the first circuit board at or near the edge of the slot.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first electrical interface can be accepted into the second electrical interface.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The second electrical interface includes an interface port for receiving the first electrical interface.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The second electrical interface is positioned opposite to the opening of the notch.

9. A circuit board connection device, the circuit board connection device comprising: A second circuit board includes a surface and a connecting member. The connecting member protrudes from the surface and is configured to protrude through slots on two surfaces of a first circuit board parallel to the second circuit board. The connecting member includes a second electrical interface that, when positioned to protrude through the slots and to establish at least one electrical connection between the first and second circuit boards by lateral movement, is capable of connecting to a first electrical interface on the first circuit board. The connecting component includes a coupling portion configured to engage with the first circuit board at or near the slot to support the second circuit board relative to the first circuit board. The joint includes a notch for engaging the two surfaces of the first circuit board.

10. The circuit board connection device according to claim 9, wherein, The joint is configured to form a press-fit fastening to the first circuit board at or near the edge of the slot.

11. A circuit board connection method, the method comprising the following steps: A first circuit board is provided, the first circuit board having a slot through two surfaces and a first electrical interface disposed at or near the edge of the slot; A second circuit board is provided, the second circuit board having a surface and a connecting member, the connecting member protruding from the surface and configured to protrude through the slot, wherein the connecting member includes a second electrical interface, the connecting member further includes a joint, the joint being configured to engage with the first circuit board at or near the slot to support the second circuit board in a plane parallel to the first circuit board, and the joint including notches for engaging around two surfaces of the first circuit board; The connecting component is positioned above or below the first circuit board and aligned with the slot; and The connecting member is moved relative to the first circuit board to insert it into the slot and laterally moved relative to the first circuit board to engage the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface to establish at least one electrical connection between the first circuit board and the second circuit board, wherein moving the connecting member includes vertically inserting it into the slot and laterally moving it to engage the second electrical interface with the first electrical interface.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The method is executed by a processor controlling an assembly machine based on instructions on a computer-readable storage medium.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The connecting component is configured to secure the second circuit board to the first circuit board at or near the edge of the slot.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The first electrical interface and the second electrical interface each include a plurality of electrical contacts, and the connecting member is configured to secure the second circuit board to the first circuit board to maintain an electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The connecting component includes a joint configured to engage with the first circuit board at or near the edge of the slot to support the second circuit board relative to the first circuit board.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The first electrical interface can be accepted into the second electrical interface.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The second electrical interface includes an interface port for receiving the first electrical interface.

18. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to control an assembly machine to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

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