Cable-to-board connector with elastomeric conductor and alignment member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical methods for connecting ribbon cables to printed circuit boards (PCBs) often result in degraded electrical performance, require multiple components, and are costly, while existing elastomeric connectors do not maintain signal integrity at high frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A cable-to-board interconnect device using a thin sheet of anisotropic conductive material with an integrated strain relief and alignment member, featuring V-grooves and a spring component to ensure uniform load and alignment, maintaining impedance and signal integrity up to 40 GHz.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical methods are used to mount wire-based cables to PCB, then the connection is robust and easy to manufacture, but the electrical performance degrades and multiple components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the alignment function and strain relief function into a single integrated alignment member with V-grooves. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components while maintaining proper wire alignment and mechanical support, thereby improving electrical performance without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an elastomeric conductor as an intermediary between the wire-based cable and the PCB traces. This elastomeric material provides both electrical connection and mechanical compliance, reducing signal degradation while maintaining a simple two-component structure (alignment member + elastomeric conductor)
2Reliability
If traditional connectors are used to connect cable to PCB, then the connection is separable, but the impedance is not maintained and signal loss occurs at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin elastomeric conductor film that maintains controlled impedance and provides signal integrity up to 40 GHz. The elastomeric material's flexibility allows for easy installation and alignment while its controlled geometry maintains electrical performance, resolving the contradiction between signal integrity and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment member with pre-formed V-grooves performs preliminary alignment of the wires before the elastomeric conductor is applied. This preliminary alignment action ensures proper positioning is achieved before final connection, making the overall installation process easier while maintaining signal integrity
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 separable, low-part-count connection with minimal signal degradation, maintaining impedance and ensuring reliable contact across a wide frequency range from DC to 40 GHz, reducing open circuits and improving connection quality.
Implementation Method 1
The spring component may comprise a leaf spring, or a bar with separate springs
Implementation Method 2
a thin sheet of anisotropic conductive material between the wires and the PCB traces
Data Source
AI summary
A cable to board interconnect device that is used to interconnect wires to a printed circuit board (PCB) that has conductive traces on its essentially flat surface, where the wires are essentially parallel to the face of the PCB. The device includes an alignment member that overlies the wires, and an elastomeric conductor between the wires and the PCB traces.