Flexible Expansion Board Connectors for Tight, Low-Interference Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting high-rate interfaces on expansion boards face challenges such as limited installation space, signal interference, and the need for longer cables which degrade signal quality, and the expense and space requirements of optical cables.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit board with a bank of electric connectors formed as fingers projecting from the board, featuring cuts that allow flexibility to compensate for mounting tolerances and reduce interference, using shorter connections and eliminating the need for optical converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If individual cables with shielding are used to connect high-rate interfaces, then interference between connectors is eliminated, but the available installation space is insufficient and the operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual cable connections are merged into a single flexible printed circuit board (FPC) that contains all conductive paths integrated on one board. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate cables and their individual shieldings, significantly reducing the space required for installation while maintaining electrical connectivity for all high-rate interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) as a thin, flexible substrate to carry multiple conductive paths. This FPC can be bent and routed through tight spaces within the equipment chassis, enabling installation in areas where rigid cables with shielding would not fit, thus solving the space constraint problem.
2Ease of operation
If longer cables are used to provide more installation space, then the ease of operation improves, but the signal quality deteriorates due to the high rate of signals
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board provides the necessary flexibility and routability for installation without requiring long cable lengths. The FPC can be configured to reach around obstacles and fit into tight spaces, maintaining short electrical path lengths that preserve signal quality for high-rate interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending connections in one dimension (longer cables), the FPC utilizes multiple dimensions by bending and routing through three-dimensional space within the chassis. This allows the connection to navigate around obstacles and reach installation points without increasing the electrical path length, thus maintaining signal integrity.
3Reliability
If optical cables are used to maintain signal quality, then the signal transmission is improved, but the cost increases due to electrical to optical converters and the space requirements increase due to minimum bend radius constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board provides a compact, flexible electrical connection solution that eliminates the need for optical converters. The FPC can be routed through tight spaces and bent at small radii without damage, avoiding the space and complexity requirements of optical cable systems while maintaining electrical signal integrity through short, direct conductive paths.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receptacles are mounted in a bank on the host board, then the connectivity capacity is increased, but the mounting inaccuracy due to tolerance requirements prevents precise insertion of connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board introduces dynamic compliance to the connector assembly. The FPC can elastically deform and flex to accommodate misalignments between connectors and receptacles caused by mounting tolerances. This dynamic adaptation allows precise electrical connection even when mechanical alignment is imperfect, enabling reliable operation with high connectivity capacity.
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 precise connections with reduced space requirements, shields against interference, and maintains signal quality by using shorter connections and integral electric connectors, while allowing for flexibility to accommodate mechanical tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
Flexible connectors for expansion board... the present invention provides the benefit of compensating for inaccuracy of mounting connector receptacles on a host board allowed by tolerance requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic circuit board including a plurality of electronic components mounted on the electronic circuit board and a plurality of electricity conductive paths for connecting the electronic components. The electronic circuit board further includes a plurality of electric connectors arranged in a bank along an edge of the electronic circuit board, wherein each one of the plurality of electric connectors is formed from the material of the board as a finger projecting outside the electronic circuit board. In line with either edge of each one of the electric connectors the electronic circuit board has a cut forming a gap and projecting into the board.