Connector Stand-offs for Passageway Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of electronic components and increased functional demands lead to higher cumulative horizontal forces, which can easily break the side-walls of electrical connector passageways when connecting a CPU to a PCB, causing accidental damage and misalignment of contacts.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector features an insulative housing with vertically extending passageways and a grid of stand-offs on both mating and mounting surfaces, along with C-shaped conductive contacts that include spring arms and barbs for secure retention, preventing damage from horizontal forces by distributing pressure and maintaining accurate engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of conductive contacts is increased to meet functional demands, then the electrical connectivity is improved, but the cumulative horizontal force increases causing side-walls of passageways to break
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple rigid support elements (stand-offs) distributed across the mounting surface. Each stand-off independently supports localized horizontal forces from contacts, segmenting the force distribution rather than concentrating it on single lateral walls. This segmentation allows the connector to accommodate higher contact counts while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of conductive contacts is increased for additional functions, then the functionality is improved, but the cumulative horizontal force easily breaks the side-walls of passageways
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from two-dimensional lateral wall support to three-dimensional support by adding vertical stand-offs that extend from the mounting surface upward toward the passageways. This dimensional change provides additional support planes that intercept horizontal forces before they can damage the passageway side-walls, enabling reliable operation with increased contact counts.
3Volume of moving object
If miniaturization is implemented to reduce equipment size, then the compactness is improved, but the cumulative horizontal force per unit area increases causing passageway damage
Solution Approach 1:
The stand-offs are strategically positioned at specific locations where horizontal forces are most likely to concentrate, particularly near the edges and corners of the contact array. This localized reinforcement provides targeted support where stress density is highest, enabling miniaturization while preventing passageway damage in critical high-stress regions.
Data Source
AI summary
An connector (1) includes an insulative housing (2), and a multiplicity of conductive contacts (3) received in the housing. The housing comprises a mating surface (20) and a mounting surface (21) opposite to the mating surface. The housing defines a plurality of passageways (23) extending vertically therethrough to receive corresponding contacts therein. A seriate stand-offs (24) extends from the two opposite lateral sides of the adjacent passageways on the mounting surface.