Connector Assembly Bracket for Multi-Board Misalignment Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector assemblies face challenges in accommodating misalignment and inclination of mating connectors, leading to difficulties in successful mating due to increased size and limited flexibility in terminal displacement.

Innovation Solution

A connector assembly with a bracket system that retains multiple circuit boards, allowing independent movement in both X and Y directions, and featuring a plugging portion design with a slope and cantilever-like structures to facilitate correct mating even with misaligned connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each terminal has a displacement absorbing portion bulging in horizontal direction, then misalignment during mating can be absorbed, but the connector size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemisalignment absorption capabilityVSAvoidconnector size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit boards are designed to be movable relative to the bracket, allowing dynamic adjustment during mating. The bracket retains multiple circuit boards such that each circuit board can make a predetermined amount of independent movement in a pair of directions in a horizontal plane, enabling misalignment absorption without fixed displacement structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connector assembly is segmented into multiple independent circuit boards retained by a common bracket. Each circuit board can move independently to absorb misalignment, replacing the need for displacement-absorbing portions in each terminal with a segmented, distributed movement mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple circuit boards are retained rigidly to ensure stability, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to correct misalignment and inclination during mating is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmisalignment correction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket circuit board assembly transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic one where circuit boards can move independently within predetermined limits. This allows the system to maintain stability while adapting to misalignment and inclination during the mating process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The degree of freedom of circuit boards is changed from fixed to movable within controlled parameters. Each circuit board can move a predetermined amount in a pair of directions, changing the structural parameter from rigid to semi-rigid with controlled flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11038301B2Connector assembly with a plurality of circuit boards

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 TE CONNECTIVITY JAPAN GK

AI summary

A connector assembly includes a plurality of circuit boards and a bracket retaining the plurality of circuit boards. The circuit boards each have a plugging portion to be plugged into a mating connector and each have a first main face facing a second main face of an adjacent circuit board of the plurality of circuit boards. The bracket retains the plurality of circuit boards with the plugging portions facing downward and with each of the circuit boards capable of making a predetermined amount of independent movement in a pair of directions in a horizontal plane.