Electrical Connector Guide Features Vertical Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors occupy valuable space on circuit boards due to the arrangement of guide cavities and contacts, limiting the density of electrical contacts that can be used for power and data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design positions guide features and contacts along a vertical axis, allowing for a higher density of contacts by aligning them with the guide features, which are located above or below the contacts, thereby freeing up lateral space for additional contacts without increasing the connector's width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guide cavities are located at opposite sides of the electrical connector with electrical contacts between them, then alignment during mating operation is achieved, but space along the leading edge is occupied limiting the number of electrical contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a lateral arrangement where guide cavities are positioned at opposite sides horizontally to a vertical arrangement where guide cavities are stacked above and below the electrical contacts array. This dimensional reorganization allows the guide mechanism to occupy the vertical space rather than lateral space, thereby increasing the number of electrical contacts that can be accommodated along the leading edge of the circuit board while maintaining alignment functionality.
2Device complexity
If guide cavities and electrical contacts are arranged at a common height, then structural simplicity is maintained, but lateral space is consumed reducing contact density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by stacking guide cavities in the vertical dimension rather than placing them side-by-side in the lateral dimension. The first guide cavity is positioned above the array of electrical contacts and the second guide cavity is positioned below the array, creating a vertical arrangement that maintains structural coherence while maximizing lateral space for additional electrical contacts.
3Quantity of substance
If the connector width is increased to accommodate more electrical contacts, then contact density increases, but the connector occupies more space on the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves higher contact density without increasing connector width by utilizing the vertical dimension for the guide cavity arrangement. By positioning guide cavities above and below the electrical contacts array rather than to the sides, the connector maintains a compact lateral footprint while accommodating more electrical contacts within the same horizontal space.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical connector including a connector housing having a mating side facing in a mating direction along an engagement axis. The mating side extends along a lateral axis and an orientation axis that are perpendicular to each other and the engagement axis. The connector housing also includes first and second end sides facing in opposite directions along the lateral axis and a top side facing in a direction along the orientation axis. The top side extends between the first and second end sides and is substantially planar from the first end side to the second end side. The electrical connector also includes first and second mating regions that are defined by the first and second end sides, respectively. Each of the first and second mating regions includes electrical contacts and a guide feature, wherein at least some of the electrical contacts and the guide feature are aligned with one another.