Connector Positioning via Stand Portions and Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multichannel connectors face instability due to variations in circuit board thickness and warpage, leading to fluctuating contact pressure and positional errors, making them unsuitable for boards with different thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a circuit board with contact pads on a first face, sandwiched between a frame and a retainer with stand portions and a central through-hole, ensuring precise positional alignment and stable contact pressure through screw fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the circuit board is fixed to the housing using a second face contacting with the housing (opposite to the first face with contact pads), then the structure is simple, but the positional precision of the first face fluctuates due to variations in thickness, warpage, and other factors
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fixing the circuit board by its second face (back side) to the housing, the invention inverts the approach by fixing it through its first face (front side with contact pads) using stand portions that contact the first face. This inversion allows direct positioning reference from the mating side, eliminating positional fluctuations caused by thickness and warpage variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces stand portions as intermediary elements between the housing and the circuit board's first face. These stand portions serve as mediators that provide stable positioning reference points, isolating the circuit board from the housing while maintaining precise positional relationship of the contact pads.
2Manufacturing precision
If the circuit board is fixed using stand portions contacting the first face, then the positional precision is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the positioning function and the fixing function into a single integrated structure. The stand portions simultaneously serve as positioning elements (contacting the first face for precision) and as fixing elements (to which the retainer is attached). This combination eliminates the need for separate positioning and fixing mechanisms, reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand portions are designed as multi-functional elements that perform multiple roles: they provide positioning reference for the circuit board, serve as mounting points for the retainer, and maintain the circuit board's positional stability during mating. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the circuit board is fixed from the second face, then the structure is simple, but the connector is unadaptable to circuit boards with different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The stand portions are pre-configured with predetermined heights that are designed to accommodate variations in circuit board thickness. By establishing the positioning reference (the top surface of stand portions) before the circuit board is installed, the system can adapt to different board thicknesses without requiring adjustment or modification of the fixing structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a connector provided with a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads arranged on a first face, the positional accuracy of the first face having the contact pads formed thereon of the circuit board is improved. This connector (10) has a frame (11) and a retainer (14), which constitute a housing, a circuit board (13), and a cap (12). A plurality of contact pads are arranged in a two-dimensional fashion on a lower face (first face) of the circuit board (13). This circuit board (13) has its lower face (first face) supported on seat portions (113) of the frame (11) so that the lower face (first face) is located. In addition, this circuit board (13) has its upper face (second face) pressed by the retainer (14) so that the circuit board (13) is fixed in a state of being pressed on the stand portions (113) of the frame (11).