Electrical Connector Assembly With Guidance Pin And Block System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors for printed circuit boards face challenges in ensuring precise alignment, secure attachment, and effective prevention of electrostatic discharge, while also requiring efficient manufacturing processes to connect multiple boards efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an electrical connector assembly with a guidance pin and block system that includes a keying interface and retention features, allowing for precise alignment and secure attachment of printed circuit boards, along with a design that separates signal and ground contacts to prevent electrostatic discharge and optimize manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional electrical connectors are used to connect printed circuit boards, then electrical connections can be established, but alignment precision and connection reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guidance pin and guidance block as intermediary components between the connector and the printed circuit board. The guidance pin fits into the guidance block to provide precise alignment and positioning, ensuring accurate connection while improving reliability. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by adding a dedicated alignment feature that does not interfere with the electrical connection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance pin and guidance block feature asymmetric geometric profiles that enable precise unidirectional alignment. The non-symmetric shapes ensure that the connector can only be inserted in the correct orientation, thereby improving alignment precision and connection reliability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional connector designs are used, then basic electrical connection is achieved, but protection against electrostatic discharge is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contact structure into signal contacts and ground contacts that are spatially separated and organized in distinct patterns. This segmentation allows ground contacts to be strategically positioned for electrostatic discharge protection while signal contacts maintain their signaling function. The segmented design provides ESD protection without requiring a completely redesign of the connector, thus limiting the increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different contact patterns and configurations in different regions of the connector. Ground contacts are concentrated in specific areas to provide localized electrostatic discharge protection, while signal contacts are arranged in other regions for data transmission. This local differentiation optimizes ESD protection where needed without unnecessarily complicating the entire connector structure.
3Productivity
If traditional connector manufacturing processes are used, then connectors can be produced, but manufacturing efficiency and programmability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance pin, guidance block, and contact patterns are pre-configured and integrated into the connector housing during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the connector to be prepared in advance with precise alignment features and contact arrangements, improving manufacturing efficiency. The pre-configured design enables automated assembly processes while maintaining the flexibility to program different contact patterns for various applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical connectors for interconnecting circuit boards. One such connector includes an integral flange for mounting a guidance pin in any of multiple orientations. A corresponding keying block may have a polarization component that can be mounted in a corresponding number of positions. The connector can accept conductive elements with different shapes for signals and grounds, but the housing may be adapted to receive either type of contact in any contact location. Protection of contact elements from excessive yield is provided within the insulative housing of the backplane connector. On the daughter card connector, height difference between ground and signal contacts in wafer assemblies protects components from electrostatic discharge.