Electronic Prototyping Hubs with Separable Multi-Bus Connector Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prototyping platforms limit user configurability and flexibility in interconnecting devices, often lacking sufficient tabs to achieve desired circuit configurations.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of hubs with multiple connector tabs and a pre-treated zone that allows users to physically separate the hub into multiple functional units while maintaining electrical connectivity, providing user-configurable options for circuit configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing prototyping platforms use fixed connector configurations, then device interconnection is simplified, but user configurability and flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser configurabilityVSAvoidconnector configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hub is divided into multiple connector tabs that can be independently configured and connected to different devices. Each tab can be separately positioned and connected, allowing users to create custom circuit configurations by selecting which tabs to connect and how to arrange them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If hubs have fixed numbers of tabs, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different circuit configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit configuration flexibilityVSAvoidhub production

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hub is pre-configured with multiple tabs at predetermined positions during manufacturing, but the actual circuit configuration is determined later by the user based on their specific needs. This allows the hub to be manufactured once with all possible connection points, then adapted to various configurations without requiring multiple hub designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If devices have limited tabs, then device design is simplified, but the ability to interconnect multiple devices is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice interconnection capabilityVSAvoidnumber of tabs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hub acts as an intermediary device that provides multiple connection points (tabs) to enable interconnection between multiple devices. Instead of requiring each device to have numerous tabs for direct connections to all other devices, the hub serves as a central connection point that consolidates multiple connections, thereby increasing interconnection capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12376228B2Electronic prototyping

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

The description relates to prototyping systems, including hubs for electrically connecting devices. One example can include an electrically insulative substrate and at least two connector tabs defined by the substrate, each connector tab including a data contact, a power contact, and a ground contact positioned over the substrate. A data bus can be positioned relative to the substrate and electrically connect all of the data contacts, a power bus can be positioned relative to the substrate and electrically connect all of the power contacts, and a ground bus can be positioned relative to the substrate and electrically connect all of the ground contacts.