Connector Latching Pins Angle Change for PCB Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for circuit boards are difficult to remove and modify due to permanent soldering, which complicates component replacement and board modifications, and often require skilled operators and expensive tools, while also occupying valuable space on crowded boards.
Innovation Solution
A connector component with latching pins and pinch tabs that can be biased into different positions for secure insertion and removal from a PCB, allowing for easy connection and disconnection, and featuring electrically conductive contact pins coupled to a cable for powering, programming, or testing of the board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If connectors are soldered to PCB using surface mount technology, then production process speed increases, but the risk of defects increases due to component miniaturization and denser packing
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a body portion with contact pins and a cable assembly with wires. This segmentation allows for easier handling and assembly, reducing defects during the soldering process while maintaining high production speed through efficient component integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a novel connector design that acts as an intermediary between traditional through-hole and surface-mount technologies. The connector features a hybrid assembly method where the body is mounted using surface-mount techniques but includes through-hole latching pins for secure mechanical attachment, thereby reducing assembly defects while maintaining productivity.
2Strength
If connectors are soldered permanently to PCB, then mechanical support and electrical connection are provided, but the connector does not allow for easy removal and modification
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates dynamic latching pins that can transition between locked and unlocked states. These pins are biased by springs to automatically engage with the PCB during assembly, providing strong mechanical support, while can be manually actuated to disengage, enabling easy removal and modification without damaging the PCB.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for the connector to be easily removed from the PCB when no longer needed or when replacement is required. The latching mechanism enables the connector to be discarded from its mounted state and recovered for reuse or replacement, facilitating maintenance and upgrades while maintaining strong attachment during normal operation.
3Ease of operation
If traditional removable connectors are used, then easy connection and disconnection are enabled, but the connectors are expensive or substantially fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is constructed from composite materials that combine the structural integrity of metal with the cost-effectiveness and durability of engineered plastics. This composite construction reduces fragility and manufacturing costs while maintaining the mechanical strength needed for reliable connection and disconnection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching pins are designed with spring bias to automatically engage with the PCB upon insertion, eliminating the need for complex manual latching operations. This self-latching mechanism simplifies the connection process, reduces the risk of user error, and maintains reliable attachment without requiring expensive precision components.
4Area of stationary object
If connectors are made smaller for crowded boards, then valuable space is saved, but accurate positioning and holding during soldering becomes increasingly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates preliminary positioning features such as molded-in alignment pins and locating protrusions that automatically guide the connector into the correct position on the PCB during assembly. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for manual alignment, making the assembly process easier even for miniaturized connectors on crowded boards.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design includes intermediary alignment features that mediate between the PCB mounting holes and the connector body. These features, such as alignment pins and locating structures, ensure accurate positioning during assembly while maintaining a compact form factor that saves valuable board space.
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective, and secure connection and disconnection of electrical components to circuit boards, reducing the need for skilled labor and expensive tools, while allowing for easy modification and component replacement without damaging the board.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the latching pins includes a spring element configured to bias the latching pins from a first angle corresponding to a first position toward a second angle corresponding to a second position
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Described herein are connector components for selectively connecting to a PCB or other type of secondary device. Such a connector component (100) comprises a body (104), electrically conductive contact pins (112), and latching pins (106). The body (104) includes opposing sides at which are located pinch tabs (107). The electrically conductive contact pins (112) and the latching pins (106) each includes a portion thereof also extending from the bottom of the body. The pinch tabs (107) are configured to normally bias the latching pins (106) in a first position where the latching pins (106) are angled relative to a central axis of the connector component (100) when the pinch tabs (107) are not being pinched inwards towards one another. Additionally, the pinch tabs (107) are configured to bias the latching pins (106) in a second position where the latching pins (106) are substantially parallel to the central axis of the connector component (100) when the pinch tabs (107) are being pinched inward towards one another.