Slotted Electrical Connector Cage for Reliable PCB Soldering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies experience poor soldering due to uneven heat distribution during high-temperature soldering processes, primarily because the metal cage and heat sink absorb most of the heat, leading to inadequate soldering of the receptacle connector's soldering tails.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector assembly features slots on the side and rear walls of the metal cage to allow hot air to flow through, ensuring even heat distribution during soldering, thereby preventing poor soldering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the metal cage and heat sink are used to protect and support the receptacle connector, then the structural strength and protection are improved, but the heat distribution during soldering deteriorates causing poor soldering of the soldering tails
Solution Approach 1:
The metal cage is segmented by adding slots (first slot in the first side wall, second slot in the second side wall, third slot in the rear wall) that divide the cage structure into regions that allow hot air flow. This segmentation maintains the overall protective function while creating pathways for heat distribution to reach the soldering feet.
Solution Approach 2:
The slots act as intermediaries that facilitate the transfer of heat from the hot air to the soldering feet. The hot air flows through the slots (first slot, second slot, third slot) to reach the soldering feet, ensuring proper soldering while the metal cage continues to provide structural protection.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the heat sink absorbs most of the heat during soldering, then the thermal management is improved, but the soldering tails receive insufficient heat causing poor soldering
Solution Approach 1:
The metal cage is designed with different local properties: the main body provides heat absorption and protection, while specific regions (slots) are created to allow hot air penetration. The first slot in the first side wall, second slot in the second side wall, and third slot in the rear wall create localized pathways for heat to reach the soldering feet without compromising the overall heat sink function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the soldering tails are surrounded by the metal cage, then the protection and structural integrity are improved, but the heat distribution becomes uneven causing poor soldering
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosing structure is segmented by adding slots that create openings in the metal cage. The first slot in the first side wall, second slot in the second side wall, and third slot in the rear wall divide the enclosed space, allowing hot air to penetrate and distribute heat evenly to the soldering feet while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the cage.
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
The design ensures reliable soldering of the connector assembly on an external circuit board by allowing hot air to reach the soldering feet efficiently, preventing poor soldering issues.
Implementation Method 1
by providing slots on the side walls and the rear wall, hot air can flow between the slot on the rear wall and the slots on the side walls, thereby avoiding poor soldering when the electrical connector assembly is soldered on the external circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly includes a metal cage and a receptacle connector. The metal cage includes: a top wall; a pair of side walls extending downwardly from two sides of the top wall; and a rear wall connected to the top wall and the pair of side walls, the top wall, the pair of side walls, and the rear wall cooperated to form a receiving space with a front opening. The receptacle connector is received in the receiving space and includes plural soldering feet for soldering on an external circuit board, wherein each of the pair of side walls and the rear wall has a slot.