Embedded Lateral PCB Connectors for Low-Profile Board Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printed circuit boards (PCBs) face challenges in reducing weight and bulk due to the need for adding components through soldering or bolting, which increases thickness and volume, and existing solutions do not effectively utilize lateral space for connectors.
Innovation Solution
The integration of embedded lateral connectors within the PCB layers, formed by apertures or cutouts, allows for electrical connections and component coupling without increasing the board's thickness, using additive manufacturing or die-cutting techniques to position connectors parallel to the planar sides, enabling efficient data transfer and power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components are added to PCB by soldering or bolting through apertures, then electrical connections are established, but weight and bulk increase due to increased PCB thickness and volume
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is merged with the PCB structure by embedding it within the PCB layers, combining two separate components (PCB and connector) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate mounting operations and reduces overall weight while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is repositioned from the traditional top/bottom surface mounting to a lateral embedding within the PCB layers. This dimensional change allows the connector to utilize the internal space of the PCB rather than adding to its external thickness, reducing bulk while maintaining connection capability.
2Reliability
If components are added to PCB by soldering or bolting through apertures, then electrical connections are established, but PCB thickness and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is merged with the PCB structure by embedding it within the PCB layers, combining two separate components (PCB and connector) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate mounting operations and reduces overall weight while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is repositioned from the traditional top/bottom surface mounting to a lateral embedding within the PCB layers. This dimensional change allows the connector to utilize the internal space of the PCB rather than adding to its external thickness, reducing bulk while maintaining connection capability.
3Reliability
If conventional connectors are used on PCB surfaces, then electrical connections are established, but lateral space for connectors is not effectively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is repositioned from the traditional top/bottom surface mounting to a lateral embedding within the PCB layers. This dimensional change allows the connector to utilize the internal space of the PCB rather than adding to its external thickness, reducing bulk while maintaining connection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is nested within the PCB layers, with the connector body positioned between internal layers and accessible through a lateral aperture. This nesting approach allows the connector to occupy space that would otherwise be unused, effectively utilizing the PCB's internal volume.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) may include embedded lateral connectors. The embedded lateral connectors may be configured to enable components to quickly couple to or plug into a PCB, thus saving time to form connections. The embedded lateral connectors may also reduce weight and/or size by avoiding need for bulky tradition collections with conventional components (e.g., solders, external pin connectors, etc.). The connectors may include male connectors, female connectors, and/or mounting connectors. The connectors may be configured to connect multiple PCBs together, such as using a stacked configuration, which may enable reducing a volume of space needed in a housing for the PCBs.