Cable Carrier Adapter for Guided Circuit Board Connector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems face challenges in efficiently coupling cables to circuit board connectors that require a subset of features and connector width, leading to suboptimal solutions due to cost or signal integrity issues.
Innovation Solution
A cable carrier adapter with mechanical features and dimensions similar to a second circuit board is used to mechanically couple a cable termination to a first circuit board, engaging with guiding features of the board's housing to ensure stable electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simplified connector interface circuit card is used instead of a full capability industry standard circuit board, then cost is reduced and signal integrity is improved, but the adapter must still maintain compatibility with standard connector interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the cable assembly and the circuit board connector. It has a first interface that couples to the cable assembly and a second interface that couples to the circuit board connector, mediating the connection and enabling simplified cable interfacing while maintaining full connector compatibility through the adapter's standard-compliant second interface
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed with physical dimensions substantially similar to that of a second circuit board and includes mechanical features configured to mechanically couple the cable and cable termination in a fixed position, copying the form factor and mechanical interface characteristics of a standard circuit board to ensure compatibility with standard connector interfaces
2Device complexity
If a cable assembly is directly coupled to a circuit board connector, then the connection is simple, but mechanical guidance and alignment may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as a mediator that provides both mechanical guidance features for precise alignment and a simplified cable coupling interface. The mechanical features configured to mechanically couple the cable assembly in a fixed position ensure proper alignment while maintaining connection simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter performs multiple functions: it mechanically couples the cable assembly in a fixed position, provides mechanical guidance for alignment with the circuit board connector, and maintains electrical connectivity. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by combining alignment precision with connection simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If a cable carrier adapter with physical dimensions similar to a circuit board is used, then mechanical engagement with guiding features is enabled, but the adapter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter copies the physical dimensions and mechanical interface characteristics of a standard circuit board, enabling it to engage with existing guiding features of the circuit board housing. This copying approach enables mechanical engagement capability while reusing standard form factors rather than creating entirely new complex structures
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter's structure is designed to be universal, working with both cable assemblies and circuit board connectors. The mechanical features configured to mechanically couple components in fixed positions provide the necessary engagement capability while maintaining a relatively simple adapter structure through standardized design
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly may include a cable terminated with a cable termination configured to electrically couple the cable to a first circuit board and a cable carrier adapter comprising mechanical features configured to mechanically couple the cable and the cable termination in a fixed position relative to the cable carrier adapter and physical dimensions substantially similar to that of a second circuit board configured to electrically and mechanically couple to the first circuit board such that the cable carrier adapter is configured to mechanically engage with guiding features of a housing of the first circuit board for mechanically guiding the second circuit board relative to the first circuit board in order to guide the cable carrier adapter relative to the first circuit board to electrically couple the cable to the first circuit board via the cable termination.