Connector Sub-Assembly SMT Resoldering Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector design makes it difficult to solder and resolder the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) portions on a circuit board due to the tilting of the connector caused by the weight of the mating portion, leading to poor soldering and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The connector is redesigned with a first and second sub-connector configuration, where the second sub-connector is mounted on the circuit board, allowing the SMT portion to be easily soldered and resoldered by extending in opposite orientations, enabling easy access without increasing the pitch size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the connector is designed with a protruding mating portion to enable mounting on the circuit board, then the connector can be mounted and mated with the mating connector, but the connector tilts relative to the circuit board due to the weight of the mating portion, making soldering difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate sub-connectors: a first sub-connector containing the mating portion that protrudes from the circuit board, and a second sub-connector containing the SMT portions that are soldered to the circuit board. This segmentation allows each sub-connector to be optimized independently - the first sub-connector can protrude for mating while the second sub-connector remains flat on the circuit board for easy soldering and resoldering access.
2Area of stationary object
If the SMT portion is positioned under the upper terminal to save space, then the pitch size is reduced, but the SMT portion becomes hidden and inaccessible for resoldering if poor soldering occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the connector into two sub-connectors, the SMT portions in the second sub-connector are positioned on the outer side rather than hidden underneath. This allows the SMT portions to be easily accessible for resoldering while maintaining a compact overall design, as the two sub-connectors mate together in the vertical direction to utilize space efficiently.
3Device complexity
If the connector is designed as a single integrated unit, then the structure is simplified, but the SMT portion cannot be easily accessed for soldering and resoldering operations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into two functional sub-connectors that are assembled together. The first sub-connector handles the mating function with the protruding mating portion, while the second sub-connector handles the circuit board mounting function with accessible SMT portions. This segmentation resolves the conflict between structural simplicity and operational accessibility by distributing functions to appropriate sub-components.
Solution Approach 2:
The two sub-connectors are arranged in the vertical direction (intersecting with the front-rear direction) rather than side-by-side. The first sub-connector protrudes in the front-rear direction while the second sub-connector remains on the circuit board plane. This three-dimensional arrangement allows both functions to coexist without interfering with each other's accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is mateable with a mating connector along a front-rear direction. The connector comprises a first sub connector and a second sub connector. The first sub connector and the second sub connector are mateable with each other in a direction intersecting with the front-rear direction. The first sub connector comprises a first holding member and a plurality of first terminals. The second sub connector comprises a second holding member and a plurality of second terminals. The second terminals are arranged in two rows. Each of the second terminals has a second contact point and an SMT portion. The SMT portion is configured to be fixed on a circuit board. The SMT portion of the second terminal of one of the two rows extends in an orientation opposite to an orientation in which the SMT portion of the second terminal of a remaining one of the two rows extends.