Board Connector Terminal Geometry for Inspection Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of board connectors leads to reduced inspection accuracy due to differences in depth of focus when soldering, caused by zigzag patterns of land arrangements on the board, resulting in image blurring during solder inspection.
Innovation Solution
The board connector design includes a first terminal with a solderable extending portion and a second terminal with a bent extending portion that approaches the first portion without overlapping, reducing the depth of focus difference during inspection, and using plated surfaces for improved soldering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lands of adjacent rows are arranged in a zigzag pattern to increase terminal density and miniaturize the board connector, then terminal density is improved, but inspection accuracy deteriorates due to different depths of focus causing image blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The second extending portion is configured to extend in a direction different from the first extending portion, specifically at an angle (e.g., perpendicular) to reduce the depth difference between soldered parts. This dimensional change in the arrangement of terminal extending portions allows both high terminal density and uniform depth of focus for inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the terminal extending portions, specifically the extension direction and angle, to control the depth of focus. By adjusting these parameters, the depth difference between adjacent terminals is minimized, enabling accurate inspection while maintaining high terminal density.
2Volume of moving object
If terminals are arranged with narrow intervals to achieve miniaturization, then connector size is reduced, but insulation between terminals becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The second extending portion extends in a direction different from the first extending portion (e.g., perpendicular direction), utilizing another dimension to arrange terminals. This allows narrow intervals in one dimension while maintaining sufficient insulation distance in the perpendicular dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second terminals have asymmetric configurations with different extension directions. This asymmetric arrangement allows compact spacing while ensuring insulation through the perpendicular orientation of the extending portions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the second extending portion is arranged straight to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but depth of focus difference increases causing inspection accuracy to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complicating the second extending portion with multiple bends, the invention extends it in a different direction (another dimension) from the first extending portion. This achieves the depth of focus uniformity goal with a relatively simple single-bend configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A board connector (20) is provided with first terminals (30), second terminals (40) and a housing (21) including a wall (23) for holding the first and second terminals (30, 40). The first terminal 30 includes a first extending portion (35) extending out from the wall (23), and the second terminal 40 includes a second extending portion (45) extending out from the wall (23). The first extending portion (35) includes a first connecting portion (38) that can be soldered to a land (12A) of a board (11). The second extending portion (45) includes a second connecting portion (49) that can be soldered to a land (12B) of the board (11) at a position more distant from the wall (23) than the first connecting portion (38) and a bent portion (48) is bent to approach the first connecting portion (38) at a position not overlapping the first connecting portion (38).