Compact Power Connector Layout for Multi-Circuit PCB Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power connectors for compact electronic systems are limited in their ability to efficiently transfer multiple power circuits in a small space, often requiring separate connectors for each circuit and lacking flexibility in current and voltage transmission.

Innovation Solution

The development of an electrical connector with a housing supporting multiple rows of electrical contacts, including a plug and receptacle design that allows for multiple power circuits to be completed through a single connector, with each contact pair capable of transmitting different currents and voltages, and a compact design that minimizes the spacing between connected substrates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate connectors are used for each power circuit, then each circuit can be reliably connected, but the space required and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower circuit connection reliabilityVSAvoidconnector quantity and spatial arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple power circuits into a single connector housing with multiple electrical contacts arranged in rows. Each contact pair (male and female) handles a separate power circuit, allowing multiple circuits to be transmitted through one integrated connector rather than requiring separate connectors for each circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, electrical insulation, mechanical alignment, and houses multiple electrical contacts for different power circuits. The single connector design handles multiple power transmission tasks that would otherwise require separate dedicated connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If connector size is reduced for compact systems, then space utilization improves, but the number of power circuits that can be transmitted is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector size and substrate spacingVSAvoidnumber of power circuits transmitted

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical contacts are arranged in multiple rows within the connector housing, utilizing a two-dimensional grid layout rather than a single linear arrangement. This dimensional organization allows multiple power circuits to be packed into a compact connector footprint, enabling both small size and high circuit capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple electrical contacts are nested within the single connector housing structure. The housing contains and organizes multiple contact pairs, each handling a separate power circuit, allowing the connector to maintain a compact external size while accommodating multiple internal circuit pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrical contacts are arranged in multiple rows, then multiple power circuits can be transmitted through a single connector, but the housing complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of power circuits transmittedVSAvoidhousing and contact arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical contacts are divided into separate male and female contact rows, with each contact consisting of distinct components (contact body, contact tail, contact portion). This segmentation allows each contact element to be manufactured and positioned independently, simplifying the assembly process for multi-row configurations compared to attempting to create complex integrated contact structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12525755B2Power connector for compact electronic systems

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 FCI USA LLC

AI summary

Flexible and low cost power interconnects. The interconnect includes a plug with an insulative support and a plurality of electrical contacts mounted to exterior surfaces of the insulative support. The plug may be simply formed with molding and stamping operations. In use, the plug may be connected in an electrical assembly to support one or multiple power circuits in a compact space. A receptacle for receiving the plug may have an opening with sides bounded by rows of independent electrical contacts that may similarly be connected to one or more power circuits within a printed circuit board to which the receptacle is mounted. The plug and receptacle may be configured such that, when the receptacle connector and plug are each mounted to substrates and the connectors are mated, the substrates are spaced 6 mm, 5 mm, or less.