Connector Assembly Force Distribution via Intermediary Circuit Board
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector assemblies risk breaking soldered mounting portions when a second connector is fitted to a first connector, due to excessive force exerted along the fitting axis, leading to separation of soldered connections.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design featuring a first connector with a projecting portion that passes through a through-hole and includes a contact, and a second connector with a contact holding portion and an abutment portion, where the projecting portion is received in a receiving portion of the second connector, allowing contact and abutment against the connector holding plate, thereby distributing force and preventing solder breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second connector is fitted to the first connector along the fitting axis, then the electrical connection between the first contact and the second contact is established, but a large force or impact is exerted on the first connector that may break the soldered mounting portions
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board acts as an intermediary element between the first connector and the second connector. The abutment portion of the second connector is designed to abut against the circuit board during fitting, allowing the circuit board to absorb and distribute the impact force, thereby protecting the soldered mounting portions of the first connector from breaking while still enabling reliable electrical connection
2Ease of operation
If the second connector directly abuts against the first connector during fitting, then the fitting operation is simple, but the mounting portions may be separated from the mounting lands due to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board serves as a mediator in the fitting operation. By designing the abutment portion to abut against the circuit board rather than directly against the first connector, the fitting operation remains simple while the circuit board absorbs the excessive force, preventing separation of mounting portions from mounting lands
Solution Approach 2:
The abutment portion is designed to extend in the fitting direction and abut against the circuit board, changing the dimension of force application from direct connector-to-connector contact to connector-to-board contact. This dimensional change allows the force to be distributed over a larger area through the circuit board structure
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector, the first connector having a first contact and a mounting portion together with a projecting portion which passes through a through-hole of a connector holding plate to project on a side of a second face of the connector holding plate along a fitting direction when the first connector is mounted on a first face of the connector holding plate through the mounting portion, the second connector having a second contact and a second contact holding portion which has a first connector receiving portion extending along the fitting direction and an abutment portion formed at an end of the second contact holding portion on a side of the first connector and configured to be abutted against the second face of the connector holding plate.