Board-to-Board Connector Assembly with Metallic Mating Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators cannot easily recognize when connectors are properly mated in a board-to-board connector assembly, as existing designs lack visual or auditory cues for successful mating.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly is designed such that the first metal plane of the first connector abuts against the second metal plane of the second connector, producing a distinct metallic sound when mated, allowing operators to reliably confirm proper alignment and mating through auditory feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connector assembly structure is used, then the connector can be mated and removed, but the operator cannot recognize whether the connectors arrive at their regular mating positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses metallic planes that produce audible sounds through mechanical vibration when connectors are properly mated. This acoustic feedback mechanism allows operators to recognize correct mating positions without visual cues, resolving the contradiction between reliability of position recognition and device complexity by incorporating sound-generating metallic surfaces into the existing connector structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements acoustic feedback by designing metallic planes that generate audible sounds upon contact during mating. This feedback mechanism enables operators to confirm proper connector alignment through sound, improving mating position recognition reliability while maintaining relatively simple connector structure
2Reliability
If visual inspection method is used to confirm mating, then the operator can recognize mating status, but visual inspection is difficult for board-to-board connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual inspection mechanism with an acoustic detection mechanism. Metallic planes generate audible sounds through mechanical vibration when connectors are properly mated, allowing operators to confirm mating status through sound rather than visual inspection. This substitution makes board-to-board connection inspection accessible and reliable without requiring direct visual access to the connection points
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
Ensures easy and reliable recognition of connector mating by producing a loud metallic sound when the connectors are correctly aligned, particularly beneficial for board-to-board connections where visual inspection is difficult.
Implementation Method 1
the first metal plane and the second metal plane abut against each other to produce a rather loud metallic sound
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector. The first connector comprises a first insulator and a first metal member. The first metal member has a first metal plane. The second connector comprises a second insulator and a second metal member. The second insulator has at least one insulating plane. The second metal member has a second metal plane. The first metal plane, at least in part, faces each of the second metal plane and the at least one insulating plane in a first direction under a mated state where the first connector and the second connector are mated with each other. A distance from the first metal plane to the second metal plane in the first direction is shorter than a distance from the first metal plane to the at least one insulating plane in the first direction under the mated state.