Circular Connector Socket Spring Contact PCB Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector solutions for printed circuit boards are error-prone, time-consuming, and expensive due to the need for additional assembly steps and are often inseparably connected, lacking a reliable and quick method for establishing electrically conductive contact.

Innovation Solution

A circular connector socket with spring contacts that resiliently press onto the printed circuit board, allowing for easy and secure electrical contact, featuring a housing with fastening and alignment means to ensure proper positioning and tolerance compensation, and an elastic sealing collar for protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional plugging or soldering methods are used to connect connector contacts to PCB contacts, then electrical connection is established, but additional work steps are introduced that are error-prone, time-consuming, and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidnumber of assembly steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the connector housing and PCB contact element into a single integrated component. The PCB contact element is directly mounted on the rear side of the connector housing, eliminating the need for separate plugging or soldering operations. This merging of components reduces assembly steps and increases productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring contacts automatically establish electrical connection with the PCB contact pads through their resilient pressing action. The system serves itself by using the spring force of the contacts to ensure reliable electrical connection without requiring additional manual intervention for connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional plugging or soldering methods are used to connect connectors to PCB, then electrical connection is established, but the connectors become permanently bonded to the PCB

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact reliabilityVSAvoidremovability of connector
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses spring contacts that provide dynamic, resilient pressing force against the PCB contact pads. This dynamic connection allows the connector to be reliably connected during operation while enabling easy removal when needed, unlike permanent soldered connections. The spring mechanism provides both stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If spring contacts are used to press against the PCB, then quick and reliable electrical contact is established, but the spring contacts must be precisely positioned to center and clamp the board

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mountingVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of spring contacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric fastening means and alignment means on the connector housing. The alignment means include asymmetric features such as positioning protrusions and corresponding recesses that guide the PCB into the correct position during assembly. This asymmetric design simplifies the mounting process by providing self-alignment while maintaining precise positioning of the spring contacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Reliability

If multiple fastening and alignment means are provided on the connector housing, then proper positioning and tolerance compensation are achieved, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the housing to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, integrates the PCB contact element mounting, incorporates alignment means for positioning, and includes fastening means for secure attachment. By making the housing multi-functional, the design achieves reliable positioning and tolerance compensation without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables quick, reliable, and error-free electrical contact between the connector socket and the printed circuit board, with the spring contacts centering and clamping the board while maintaining constant conductivity and protecting against foreign matter.

Implementation Method 1

Each spring contact (11) allows a socket contact (15) of the circular connector socket (1) to be electrically connected to a contact pad (18) on the PCB. In the state of contact with the circuit board, the spring contact acts as a spring against the circuit board, so that the spring contact is pressed against the circuit board or the contact pads arranged on the surface of the circuit board by its spring force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The spring force of each spring contact presses the spring contact resiliently against a contact surface of the printed circuit board. The spring forces of two opposing spring contacts are oriented in opposite directions, so that a printed circuit board is centered and clamped by the spring forces of the two opposing spring contacts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3593413B1Circular plug connector socket for a printed circuit board which can be mounted thereon
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 AMPHENOL TUCHEL ELECTRONICS
  • EP3593413B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3593413B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3593413B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a circular plug connector socket (1) for a printed circuit board which can be mounted thereon, wherein the circular plug connector socket (1) has, on a rear side facing away from its plug-in side, a printed circuit board contact element (10) which forms at least one spring contact (11) using which each socket contact (15) of the circular plug connector socket (1) can be connected in an electrically conductive manner to a respective contact surface of the printed circuit board.