Coaxial Spring-Pin Interface for Blind-Mate Antenna PCB Connections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Maintaining reliable electrical and electromagnetic connections between antenna arrays and circuit boards is challenging, especially when the circuit board has geometric irregularities or the system experiences mechanical stressors, leading to potential disruptions in signal transmission and system performance.

Innovation Solution

The use of a spring pin with compliant fingers to form a blind-mate connection with a printed circuit board, facilitating electromagnetic communication between the antenna array and the circuit board, even in the presence of geometric irregularities or mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid electrical connection is used between the antenna array and circuit board, then the connection is simple and cost-effective, but the connection is disrupted by geometric irregularities or mechanical stressors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring pin is designed with a compliant body that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation in response to mechanical stressors and geometric irregularities. The compliant body includes features such as bends or curves that allow it to flex and adapt, maintaining reliable electrical contact between the antenna array and circuit board despite relative movement or misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring pin utilizes changes in its physical parameters, specifically its compliance and flexibility, to maintain connection reliability. The compliant body can change its shape and position within a certain range, allowing it to accommodate geometric irregularities and mechanical stressors while maintaining continuous electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a compliant spring pin connection is used to accommodate geometric irregularities, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidblind-mate connection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spring pin's compliant body provides dynamic adjustment capability that compensates for manufacturing tolerances and geometric irregularities. The compliance allows the connection to self-adjust during assembly, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring pin is designed to self-adjust and self-align through its compliant features during the blind-mate connection process. The compliant body automatically compensates for minor misalignments and geometric variations, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment or complex positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spring pin is made highly compliant to accommodate movement, then adaptability to geometric irregularities is improved, but the electrical connection stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to geometric irregularitiesVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spring pin employs a compliant body with optimized flexibility that provides dynamic adaptation to geometric irregularities while maintaining stable electrical contact. The compliance is designed to accommodate movement within a controlled range, ensuring that the electrical connection remains stable throughout the allowed movement envelope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring pin features localized compliance in specific regions of its body, allowing it to adapt to geometric irregularities at the contact points while maintaining overall structural stability. The compliant features are strategically positioned to provide adaptability where needed without compromising the stability of the electrical connection path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution provides a cost-effective and reliable means to maintain electrical and electromagnetic connections, reducing the risk of signal disruptions and improving the longevity and performance of electronic systems.

Implementation Method 1

The spring pin comprises a compliant body that is configured to accommodate relative movement between the antenna array and the circuit board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Sometimes these electromagnetic waves must further be propagated through coaxial pins and then to circuit boards or other electrical components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12334633B2Coaxial structure for enabling electromagnetic communications between a circuit board and antenna array

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 OPTISYS INC

AI summary

Electrical connectors and means for facilitating electromagnetic communication between an antenna array and a circuit board. A system includes a circuit board comprising an electrically conductive pad, a coaxial pin, and a spring pin configured to be disposed around at least a portion of the coaxial pin. The spring pin enables the coaxial pin to maintain an electrical connection with the electrically conductive pad of the circuit board.