Connector Assembly With Multi-Directional Circuit Board
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors face challenges in efficiently connecting and stabilizing cable strands due to limited space and complexity in manufacturing, leading to reduced quality and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector features a circuit board with a vertical connecting portion and multiple horizontally oriented connecting portions, each with pads, allowing for a three-dimensional orientation that increases connection space and simplifies assembly, while a carrier element aids in fixing and bonding the strands, preventing shorts and improving automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional electrical connector design is used, then the structure is simple, but the connection space is limited and assembly is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is configured with horizontal connecting portions that extend in multiple directions from a vertical connecting portion, creating a three-dimensional orientation. This multi-dimensional arrangement increases the available connection space within the connector housing without increasing the overall footprint, allowing cable strands to be accessed from different directions and simplifying the assembly process.
2Quantity of substance
If more connection pads are added to accommodate more strands, then the connection capacity increases, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection between terminals and cable strands, acts as a structural support element, and organizes the spatial arrangement of connection pads. The horizontal connecting portions extend in multiple directions (e.g., four directions) from the vertical connecting portion, allowing a single circuit board design to accommodate multiple strands without requiring additional separate connection components, thereby increasing connection capacity while controlling manufacturing complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the circuit board is made rigid for stability, then the connection stability improves, but the ability to adapt to different cable configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board incorporates both rigid and flexible characteristics. The board provides stable electrical connections through its structured design with defined horizontal and vertical connecting portions, while its overall configuration can be adapted to different cable arrangements by adjusting the orientation and extension of horizontal connecting portions in multiple directions, thus achieving both stability and adaptability.
4Productivity
If the connector design is optimized for automation, then the productivity increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is segmented into distinct horizontal connecting portions that extend in multiple directions from a central vertical connecting portion. Each horizontal connecting portion can be independently designed with pads positioned at standardized intervals, facilitating automated placement and connection processes. This segmentation allows for modular assembly where precision requirements are distributed across standardized segments rather than requiring high precision across the entire connector assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connector (1), comprising a plurality of terminals (4), and a circuit board (7). The circuit board (7) comprises a plurality of traces for electrically connecting the terminals (4) with a plurality of pads (11). The pads (11) can electrically connect strands from a cable with the traces. The circuit board (7) further comprises a vertical connecting portion (8) for connecting the terminals (4) with the traces, and a first horizontal connecting portion (10) with pads (11), wherein the first horizontal connecting portion (10) is physically connected to the vertical connecting portion (8). According to the invention the circuit board (7) comprises a second horizontal connecting portion (10) with pads (11).