Elastic PCB Contact Element for Vibration-Resistant Board Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact elements for connecting two circuit boards are complex and costly, and they fail to provide a secure electrical connection under vibrations and shocks, particularly in automotive applications where circuit boards are prone to bending and contact loss.
Innovation Solution
A contact element with multiple electrically conductive contact arms, each connected to the same potential, is designed with an elongated shape and flexible structure to ensure continuous electrical contact, allowing for larger positioning tolerances and resistance to vibrations. The contact arms are clamped into circuit board openings, and the element can be made of a single piece for cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high pressure is applied to press circuit boards together for secure contact, then electrical contact reliability is improved, but circuit boards bend over time
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element uses elastic deformation of its arms as the mechanism for maintaining electrical contact. Instead of applying high pressure between circuit boards, the contact arms are designed to flexibly deform within elastic limits, allowing them to adapt to positioning tolerances and maintain reliable contact without bending the rigid circuit boards.
2Reliability
If complex contact elements are used to achieve vibration-proof connection, then connection reliability under vibrations is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element incorporates dynamic characteristics through its elastic arms that can flex and adapt during vibrations. The arms are designed with appropriate elasticity to maintain contact pressure during vibrational movements, allowing the connection to accommodate dynamic conditions without requiring complex rigid structures or additional damping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves vibration resistance by optimizing the elasticity parameter of the contact arms. By carefully selecting the elastic properties and dimensions of the arms, the contact element can maintain stable electrical connection during vibrations without requiring complex multi-component structures, thus reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple contact arms are used to ensure continuous electrical contact during vibrations, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element integrates multiple contact arms into a single monolithic component manufactured from one piece of conductive material. This merging of multiple functional elements into a unified structure ensures continuous electrical contact through multiple arms while simplifying manufacturing, as the entire assembly can be produced in a single forming operation without requiring assembly of separate parts.
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 solution provides a secure, vibration-resistant electrical connection with minimal wear and long service life, maintaining contact even under disruptive forces while reducing assembly complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The contact arms (3-5) are flexible or resilient relative to one another
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a contact element for establishing electrical contact between a first and a second printed circuit board (30, 40). The contact element has a fastening region (20) for fastening to the first printed circuit board (30) and a plug section (2) for a plug connection to the second printed circuit board (14). The plug section (2) has at least two contact arms (3, 4, 5) which are electrically conductively connected to one another. The invention additionally describes a method for assembling a printed circuit board arrangement.