A board-to-board connector structure and connection method

Abstract

This invention discloses a board-to-board connector structure and connection method. The structure includes printed circuit boards (PCBs), limiting members, and pins. Multiple PCBs are present, each with a socket. The limiting members are connected to the PCBs for positioning and supporting the multiple PCBs to be connected. The pins pass through multiple PCBs sequentially to achieve electrical connection between them. The method includes the following steps: installing multiple PCBs sequentially between the limiting members to position and support them; inserting pins into the sockets on the top PCB from the front, passing the pins through the sockets before inserting them into the sockets on the next PCB, and so on, to connect the multiple PCBs. This invention avoids misalignment caused by blind insertion when connecting multiple PCBs, greatly improving assembly convenience and initial assembly success rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printed circuit board (PCB) connection technology, and in particular to a board-to-board connector structure and connection method. Background Technology

[0002] When two printed circuit boards (PCBs) need to be connected without cables within an electronic product, pin headers and sockets are typically used to connect the signals between the two PCBs. Several common non-cable connection methods for existing PCBs (board-to-board) are as follows: Figure 1 As shown. The assembly steps are as follows: First, place the printed circuit board 4 on the support frame via the guide post 13. Then, insert the pin header 5 into the socket 3 on the printed circuit board 4. Next, align the socket 3 on the printed circuit board 1 with the pin header 5, press the printed circuit board down, and press the socket along with the printed circuit board 1 into the pin header, completing the signal connection between the two printed circuit boards. However, this technology has the following prominent problems:

[0003] Alignment difficulties: Regardless of whether the socket is located at the top or bottom of the printed circuit board, it is difficult to quickly and directly insert the socket into the pin header that is already mounted on another board. There is always a problem with accurately aligning one of the sockets during the docking process.

[0004] Not suitable for multiple connection points and mass production: When multiple printed circuit boards need to be connected, or when a single printed circuit board has multiple sockets that need to be connected to other boards, this method cannot achieve efficient and reliable mass assembly.

[0005] The insertion and removal process can easily cause damage: During the installation and removal of the printed circuit board, the insertion and removal force between the socket and the pin header can easily cause the printed circuit board to deform, which may damage the surface mount devices on the board.

[0006] In addition, the structure also presents the following design challenges:

[0007] Strict assembly tolerance design is required, and the deviation of the guide column must be controlled to avoid difficulties in aligning the socket and the pin.

[0008] The assembly difficulty increases further when multiple sockets are arranged on a printed circuit board and connected to another board. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a board-to-board connector structure and connection method, which solves the problems of difficult insertion and misalignment in the prior art.

[0010] The present invention is implemented as follows: The present invention provides a board-to-board connector structure, characterized in that it includes a printed circuit board, a limiting member, and pins. There are multiple printed circuit boards and each printed circuit board is provided with a socket. The limiting member is connected to the printed circuit board for positioning and supporting multiple printed circuit boards to be connected. The pin ends of the pins pass through multiple printed circuit boards in sequence to realize electrical connection between the printed circuit boards.

[0011] In this invention, multiple printed circuit boards are positioned by limiting components, and then pins pass through the multiple printed circuit boards sequentially from top to bottom to achieve electrical connection between the multiple printed circuit boards. In this process, a "through" assembly that is visible from the top is realized. The operator or machine can clearly observe the pin hole process, which effectively avoids the misalignment problem caused by blind insertion when connecting multiple printed circuit boards, and greatly improves the convenience of assembly and the initial assembly success rate.

[0012] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the insertion pin includes a pin body, a boss and a positioning slider, the pin body is at least one row, one end of the pin body is connected by a boss, the boss forms an insertion and removal handle for manual or tool clamping, and the positioning slider is slidably disposed on the pin body.

[0013] The boss provides a dedicated force application point, making insertion and removal operations easier and more standardized; the positioning slider provides an adjustment basis for correcting the needle's posture. Together, these features protect the metal needle from direct external force damage and lay the foundation for preventing subsequent needle deformation.

[0014] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the needle body is provided with limiting protrusions, which are used to prevent the positioning slider from slipping off the needle body.

[0015] This ensures that the positioning slider will not be accidentally lost during use and storage, maintaining the integrity of the structure and the reliability of the function, and facilitating reuse.

[0016] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the pins pass through multiple printed circuit boards sequentially from the top, and the boss is positioned above the topmost printed circuit board.

[0017] The assembly sequence and final state are clearly defined from top to bottom, allowing all operations to be performed in the open, further enhancing the visibility and controllability of the assembly process, making it particularly suitable for the grasping and positioning of automated equipment.

[0018] A further technical solution of the present invention is that the outer periphery of the boss is provided with an extended edge for easy gripping.

[0019] The increased contact area and friction of the handle make it more stable and convenient for both manual operation and mechanical gripping, further optimizing ergonomics.

[0020] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the top of the pin is provided with a structural limiting post, which is used to prevent the pin from being pulled out of the socket under vibration or transportation conditions.

[0021] It provides a mechanical locking function, which can effectively resist vibration and impact during transportation and use, prevent the connector from loosening due to external force, and greatly improve the long-term reliability and stability of the entire connection structure in dynamic environments.

[0022] A further technical solution of the present invention is that the printed circuit board includes a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board arranged vertically.

[0023] The most basic and typical application scenario of this structure has been identified, namely connecting two stacked printed circuit boards. The solution is specific, easy to implement and verify.

[0024] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the limiting member is placed on both sides of the outer periphery of the printed circuit board and is snapped together with the printed circuit board.

[0025] This invention provides a specific and reliable method for fixing printed circuit boards, which can quickly complete the pre-positioning and support of printed circuit boards, ensure the alignment of holes in multiple sockets, create conditions for the smooth penetration of subsequent pins, and simplify the overall structure.

[0026] The present invention also provides a board-to-board connection method, the connection method being based on the aforementioned connector structure, the method comprising the following steps:

[0027] S1. Install multiple printed circuit boards sequentially between the limiting components to position and support the printed circuit boards;

[0028] S2. Use pins to insert into the sockets on the printed circuit board from the front of the top printed circuit board. After the pins pass through the sockets, they are then inserted into the sockets on the next layer of printed circuit boards. This process is repeated to insert multiple pins into multiple printed circuit boards, thus connecting multiple printed circuit boards.

[0029] A standardized and streamlined assembly method is provided. This method utilizes the aforementioned structure to decompose the complex multi-plate alignment problem into two simple main steps: "first positioning the plate, then inserting the pins." The method is logically clear, highly operable, and significantly reduces assembly difficulty and the skill requirements for operators, making it suitable for both manual and automated production.

[0030] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the method further includes step S3, after multiple printed circuit boards are connected, the position of the pin is limited by the structural limiting post set on the top of the pin.

[0031] After completing the electrical connection, a physical locking step was added to ensure the absolute stability of the final product connection in harsh environments.

[0032] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The through-hole plug-in design allows the pins to be inserted from the front of the printed circuit board to be assembled, sequentially passing through the sockets of the first PCB board and then into the sockets of the second PCB board to achieve signal connection; this method of connection is simple and reliable, and the entire insertion process is visible, which can effectively avoid misalignment of the sockets and significantly improve the convenience and reliability of the connection when assembling multiple PCBAs.

[0033] The pins feature a locking design to prevent them from falling off due to mechanical vibration, and a limiting post is placed above the top of the pins. These structures work together to ensure the stability of the connection in vibrating environments and during long-term use, effectively preventing the pins from accidentally coming out or loosening, thereby avoiding connection failures caused by such issues.

[0034] The pins are designed with a movable positioning slider inside, which can slide freely inside the pins to control the position of multiple pins. This design has a corrective effect when there are many connected signals or when the pins are misaligned, and can effectively prevent the pins from bending or deforming during insertion, thus fundamentally solving the problem of misalignment.

[0035] The pin tip is encapsulated in plastic to form a handle structure with a raised edge, which facilitates manual or tool application of force. This user-friendly design makes the disassembly and assembly process more convenient and labor-saving, while avoiding the direct application of insertion and extraction force to the metal pin, thus protecting the pin from damage.

[0036] The integrated pin and socket design allows for a more relaxed assembly tolerance; this feature makes the invention perfectly compatible with automated machine insertion processes, achieving automated assembly and improving efficiency while ensuring minimal stress on the printed circuit board and its surface mount devices during assembly, effectively preventing device damage due to mechanical stress. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the existing technology structure described in the background section;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between two printed circuit boards provided by the present invention;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the three printed circuit boards provided by the present invention;

[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pin provided by the present invention;

[0041] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the pin and the printed circuit board provided by the present invention.

[0042] Reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. First printed circuit board; 3. Socket; 4. Second printed circuit board; 5. Pin; 6. Third printed circuit board; 7. Boss; 9. Positioning slider; 10. Restricting protrusion; 11. Structural component limiting post; 12. Limiting component. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0044] Example 1:

[0045] like Figure 2-5 The diagram shows a board-to-board connector structure, including a printed circuit board, a limiting member 12, and pins 5. There are multiple printed circuit boards, and each printed circuit board is provided with a socket 3. The limiting member 12 is connected to the printed circuit board to position and support the multiple printed circuit boards to be connected. The pin ends of the pins 5 pass through the multiple printed circuit boards in sequence to realize the electrical connection between the printed circuit boards.

[0046] In this invention, multiple printed circuit boards are positioned by limiting components, and then pins pass through the multiple printed circuit boards sequentially from top to bottom to achieve electrical connection between the multiple printed circuit boards. In this process, a "through" assembly that is visible from the top is realized. The operator or machine can clearly observe the pin hole process, which effectively avoids the misalignment problem caused by blind insertion when connecting multiple printed circuit boards, and greatly improves the convenience of assembly and the initial assembly success rate.

[0047] In this embodiment, the limiting member 12 is a fixed buckle.

[0048] In this embodiment, the present invention uses a set of sockets, pins, and mounting clips of the product structure to form a simple and reliable connection between printed circuit boards. It includes: a first printed circuit board 1 to be connected, a second printed circuit board 4 to be connected, a socket 3, pins 5, fixing clips of the structure, and structural component limiting posts 11.

[0049] In this embodiment, the insertion pin 5 includes a pin body, a boss 7, and a positioning slider 9. The pin body is at least in a row, and one end of the pin body is connected through the boss 7. The boss 7 forms an insertion and removal handle for manual or tool clamping. The positioning slider 9 is slidably disposed on the pin body.

[0050] The boss 7 provides a dedicated force application point, making insertion and removal operations easier and more standardized; the positioning slider 9 provides an adjustment basis for correcting the needle posture. The combination of the two not only protects the metal needle from direct external force damage, but also lays the foundation for preventing subsequent needle deformation.

[0051] In this embodiment, the needle body is provided with a limiting protrusion 10, which is used to prevent the positioning slider 9 from slipping off the needle body.

[0052] This ensures that the positioning slider 9 will not be accidentally lost during use and storage, maintaining the integrity of the structure and the reliability of the function, and facilitating reuse.

[0053] In this embodiment, the pins 5 pass through multiple printed circuit boards sequentially from the top, and the boss 7 is positioned above the topmost printed circuit board.

[0054] The assembly sequence and final state are clearly defined from top to bottom, allowing all operations to be performed in the open, further enhancing the visibility and controllability of the assembly process, making it particularly suitable for the grasping and positioning of automated equipment.

[0055] In this embodiment, the outer periphery of the boss 7 is provided with an extended edge for easy gripping.

[0056] The increased contact area and friction of the handle make it more stable and convenient for both manual operation and mechanical gripping, further optimizing ergonomics.

[0057] In this embodiment, the pin 5 adopts an innovative design. A pin boss 7, a positioning slider 9, and a limiting protrusion 10 are added to the traditional pin design.

[0058] The boss 7 acts as a handle, allowing for manual gripping during manual operation and robotic arm gripping during machine operation. The boss encapsulates the pin end with plastic material, preventing direct force from being applied to the pin during insertion or removal by hand or tool. The positioning slider 9 limits the pin's position. Pins fixed at one end with plastic, exceeding 3cm in length, are prone to deformation and cannot be correctly inserted into the socket. The positioning slider 9, positioned at the pin end, ensures the pin is in the correct position before use. The limiting protrusion 10, a metal protrusion on the pin, prevents the slider 9 from falling off during use.

[0059] During assembly, the pin 5 is inserted directly into the socket 3 of the printed circuit board 1 from the top, penetrating the socket 3. The slider 9 slides to a position close to the boss 7. At this point, the pin 5, constrained by the socket 3 of the printed circuit board 1, can continue to be correctly inserted into the socket of the printed circuit board 4. When disassembling the printed circuit board, the boss 7 can be clamped, and the pin 5 can be pulled out. The slider 9 can then be retracted, and the pin 5 can be reused.

[0060] In another embodiment, the needle body is provided with a groove, and the slider 9 is provided with a small protrusion that cooperates with the groove. When the slider moves to the groove position, the slider 9 is limited on the needle body.

[0061] In this embodiment, the top of the pin 5 is provided with a structural limiting post 11, which is used to prevent the pin 5 from being removed from the socket 3 under vibration or transportation conditions.

[0062] It provides a mechanical locking function, which can effectively resist vibration and impact during transportation and use, prevent the connector from loosening due to external force, and greatly improve the long-term reliability and stability of the entire connection structure in dynamic environments.

[0063] In this embodiment, the printed circuit board includes a first printed circuit board 1 and a second printed circuit board 4 arranged vertically.

[0064] The most basic and typical application scenario of this structure has been identified, namely connecting two stacked printed circuit boards. The solution is specific, easy to implement and verify.

[0065] In this embodiment, the limiting member 12 is placed on both sides of the outer periphery of the printed circuit board and is snapped together with the printed circuit board.

[0066] This invention provides a specific and reliable method for fixing printed circuit boards, which can quickly complete the pre-positioning and support of printed circuit boards, ensure the alignment of holes in multiple sockets, create conditions for the smooth penetration of subsequent pins, and simplify the overall structure.

[0067] Example 2:

[0068] A board-to-board connection method, the connection method being based on the connector structure described in Embodiment 1, the method comprising the following steps:

[0069] S1. Install multiple printed circuit boards sequentially between the limiting members 12 to position and support the printed circuit boards;

[0070] S2. Insert the pin 5 into the socket 3 on the printed circuit board from the front of the top printed circuit board. After the pin 5 passes through the socket 3, it is inserted into the socket 3 on the next layer of printed circuit board. Repeat this process to insert multiple pins 5 into multiple printed circuit boards, thereby connecting multiple printed circuit boards.

[0071] A standardized and streamlined assembly method is provided. This method utilizes the aforementioned structure to decompose the complex multi-plate alignment problem into two simple main steps: "first positioning the plate, then inserting the pins." The method is logically clear, highly operable, and significantly reduces assembly difficulty and the skill requirements for operators, making it suitable for both manual and automated production.

[0072] In this embodiment, the method further includes step S3: after multiple printed circuit boards are connected, the position of the pin 5 is limited by the structural limiting post 11 set on the top of the pin 5.

[0073] After completing the electrical connection, a physical locking step was added to ensure the absolute stability of the final product connection in harsh environments.

[0074] In this embodiment, the assembly method is as follows: Figure 2As shown: The first printed circuit board 1 and the second printed circuit board 4 are placed on the fixing clips of the structure. The fixing clips position and support the printed circuit boards. The pin 5, using the method described in this application, is inserted into the socket 3 on the first printed circuit board 1 from the front; the pin 5 passes through the socket 3 and then is inserted into the socket 3 on the second printed circuit board 4. This completes the connection between the first printed circuit board 1 and the second printed circuit board 4. After the entire structure is installed, there is a structural component limiting post 11 on the structural component, which can prevent the pin 5 from exiting the socket 3. This is used to prevent the pin 5 from exiting the socket and causing product connection failure during road transportation and vibration environments.

[0075] In this embodiment, the board-to-board connector structure is placed inside the housing, and the structural component limiting post 11 is fixed on the inner wall of the housing to restrict the pin 5 from exiting the socket 3.

[0076] As another embodiment, when multiple printed circuit boards need to be connected, see Figure 3 The pins 5 can be used to pass through the first printed circuit board 1, the second printed circuit board 4, and the third printed circuit board 6 in sequence.

[0077] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A board-to-board connector structure, characterized in that, The device includes a printed circuit board, a limiting member (12), and a pin (5). There are multiple printed circuit boards and a socket (3) is provided on the printed circuit board. The limiting member (12) is connected to the printed circuit board to position and support multiple printed circuit boards to be connected. The pin end of the pin (5) passes through multiple printed circuit boards in sequence to realize the electrical connection between the printed circuit boards. The pin (5) includes a pin body and a boss (7). One end of the pin body is connected through the plastic boss (7).

2. The board-to-board connector structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insertion pin (5) also includes a positioning slider (9), the pin body is at least one row, the boss (7) forms an insertion / removal handle for manual or tool clamping, and the positioning slider (9) is slidably disposed on the pin body.

3. The board-to-board connector structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The needle body is provided with a limiting protrusion (10), which is used to prevent the positioning slider (9) from slipping off the needle body.

4. The board-to-board connector structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pins (5) pass through multiple printed circuit boards sequentially from the top, and the bosses (7) are positioned above the topmost printed circuit board.

5. A board-to-board connector structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the boss (7) is provided with an extended edge for easy gripping.

6. The board-to-board connector structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pin (5) is provided with a structural limiting post (11) at the top. The structural limiting post (11) is used to prevent the pin (5) from exiting the socket (3) under vibration or transportation conditions.

7. The board-to-board connector structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printed circuit board includes a first printed circuit board (1) and a second printed circuit board (4) arranged vertically.

8. The board-to-board connector structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting member (12) is placed on both sides of the outer periphery of the printed circuit board and is snapped together with the printed circuit board.

9. A method for connecting boards to boards, characterized in that, The connection method is based on the connector structure described in any one of claims 1-8, and the method includes the following steps: S1. Install multiple printed circuit boards sequentially between the limiting components to position and support the printed circuit boards; S2. Use pins to insert into the sockets on the printed circuit board from the front of the top printed circuit board. After the pins pass through the sockets, they are then inserted into the sockets on the next layer of printed circuit boards. This process is repeated to insert multiple pins into multiple printed circuit boards, thus connecting multiple printed circuit boards.

10. A plate-to-plate connection method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes step S3, where, after multiple printed circuit boards are connected, the position of the pins is limited by a structural limiting post set on the top of the pins.

Images