Coplanar PCB Edge Connector for Space and Airflow Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compression connectors for printed circuit boards (PCBs) in information handling systems often result in overlap and offset, reducing available space and affecting airflow and aesthetics, while also limiting component layout variations.
Innovation Solution
An edge connector design that allows coplanar coupling of two PCBs with an elongated body and contact pairs, providing compression force through resilient contacts to maintain electrical and communication connections without overlap or offset, allowing for better airflow and more flexible component arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional compression connectors are used to connect PCBs, then electrical connection is achieved, but overlap and offset occur reducing available space and affecting airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a traditional side-by-side compression connection to an edge-to-edge connection that spans across the gap between PCBs. This dimensional change eliminates overlap and offset, allowing PCBs to be connected without reducing available space while maintaining electrical connectivity through the elongated body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into multiple contact pairs distributed along its elongated body, with each contact pair independently engaging with PCB traces. This segmentation allows the connector to span the gap between PCBs without requiring overlapping structures, thus preserving space while achieving reliable electrical connection.
2Shape
If conventional compression connectors are used, then PCBs are connected, but offset reduces aesthetics and airflow
Solution Approach 1:
By connecting PCBs edge-to-edge across the gap rather than using side-by-side compression, the connector achieves coplanar alignment of PCBs without offset. This eliminates aesthetic issues and improves airflow while the elongated body design provides inherent alignment guidance that maintains ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of compressing PCBs together to achieve connection, the connector spans across the gap and engages PCBs from opposite sides. This inverted approach eliminates offset and achieves coplanar alignment while maintaining assembly simplicity through the resilient contact mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional connectors are used, then connection is achieved, but component layout variations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated body contains multiple contact pairs that can engage with different trace patterns on PCBs. This segmentation provides design flexibility for various component layouts while the overall connector structure maintains manufacturing precision through standardized contact pair geometry and spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design with multiple contact pairs and elongated body can accommodate different PCB trace configurations and component layouts. This universal design achieves adaptability for various layouts while maintaining manufacturing precision through consistent contact pair engagement mechanisms.
4Reliability
If compression force is applied to connect PCBs, then electrical connection is maintained, but PCB thickness variations are not accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The contact pairs incorporate resilient elements that can dynamically adjust to different PCB thicknesses. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliable electrical connection through consistent compression force while accommodating PCB thickness variations, achieving both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient contact mechanism allows the compression force parameter to self-adjust based on PCB thickness variations. This parameter change capability maintains electrical connection reliability across different PCB thicknesses while providing adaptability to manufacturing tolerances.
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
The edge connector enables secure, electrical, and communicative connections between PCBs while maintaining thermal or other forms of isolation, enhancing airflow and aesthetics by eliminating overlap and offset, and allowing for more design variations in PCB layouts.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of resilient compression contacts are positioned in the compression contact space, wherein each compression contact comprises conductive material and is configured to provide compression force against each of the two PCBs coupled to the edge connector
Data Source
AI summary
An edge connector for coplanar coupling of two printed circuit boards (PCBs) comprises an elongated body and two end structures. The elongated body has a compression contact space and two PCB contact surfaces, each PCB contact surface having a plurality of contact positions. Portions of compression contacts positioned in the compression contact space extend through contact positions on both PCB contact surfaces. When a PCB edge surface contacts a PCB contact surface of the elongated body, an edge connection on the PCB edge surface contacts a compression contact, forming an electrical connection. Each end structure has two contact pairs, wherein each contact pair has attaching features that couple the edge connector to a PCB to maintain the electrical connection. When two PCBs are coupled to the edge connector, the compression contacts form electric paths for conducting power and/or communication between the two PCBs.