Angled PCB Connector Layout for Secure Hermaphroditic Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printed circuit board connectors with hermaphroditic contact elements are often complex, intricate, and expensive, and do not guarantee a secure and defined contact, particularly in angled configurations.
Innovation Solution
A compact, angled printed circuit board connector with hermaphroditic contact elements featuring flexible and rigid regions, arranged in pairs within a housing, and designed to align parallel to the connected printed circuit board, ensuring secure and defined contact through elastic deformation and rigid fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex, intricate contact elements are used to ensure secure contact, then contact reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible contact region with first and second contact lugs, and a rigid contact region with fixing elements. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally while simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the contact element have different mechanical properties: the contact region is made flexible to ensure reliable electrical contact through elastic deformation, while the fixing region is made rigid for stable mounting. This local differentiation of material properties simplifies the overall design by addressing specific functional requirements in specific locations.
2Ease of manufacture
If thin wire contact elements are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but contact security and definition are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element transitions from thin wire form to a plate-like structure with controlled thickness. This parameter change enables the creation of a flexible yet structurally sound contact region that can be manufactured cost-effectively while ensuring secure and defined contact through its geometric design and elastic deformation capabilities.
3Volume of moving object
If contact elements are arranged with minimal grid spacing, then connector compactness is improved, but risk of accidental contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are arranged asymmetrically within the housing, with the first and second contact lugs positioned at different locations and orientations. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with the housing structure, prevents accidental contact between adjacent contact elements while maintaining compact dimensions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If angled configuration is used to connect printed circuit boards in the same plane, then connector functionality is improved, but contact element alignment precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element design with its flexible contact region and rigid fixing region provides universal applicability for angled connector configurations. The flexible region accommodates angular misalignments through elastic deformation, while the rigid fixing region ensures precise positioning, making the design suitable for connecting printed circuit boards in the same plane.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, secure, and defined contact mechanism that is resistant to electromagnetic interference, suitable for connectors with minimal grid spacing, and prevents accidental contact, while maintaining ease of manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible contact region can be taken to mean a region of the contact element that can be elastically deformed in a desired manner along a narrow side, in order to facilitate and/or enable a contact to be made with an identical contact element
Data Source
AI summary
An angled printed circuit board connector is suitable for connecting at least one circuit board to at least one additional circuit board or at least one corresponding circuit board connector. It comprises a housing, at least two contact elements which are arranged in pairs and have at least two narrow sides and at least two wide sides. The contact elements have at least one flexible contact region. At least the flexible contact region of the contact elements are substantially identically shaped. The housing is designed to orient the contact elements substantially parallel to the connected circuit board. Each contact has a rigid contact region that adjoins the flexible contact region. The rigid contact region has at least one fastening element for fastening the contact element in the housing. The rigid contact region forms at least one angle of 80° to 100°.