Float PCB Connector Assembly for Low-Profile Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional board-to-board connectors struggle to compensate for misalignment between printed circuit boards, especially in low-profile applications below 8 mm, as they cannot accommodate axial and radial misalignment effectively.
Innovation Solution
A float connector design featuring a contact assembly with guide members and a biasing member that allows axial and radial float, enabling the connector to compensate for misalignment by exposing contact ends for electrical connection through a combination of alignment pins, latching features, and a compression spring mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional full coaxial bullet connector is used, then the connector provides stable electrical connection, but the connector cannot compensate for misalignment between printed circuit boards and has limited float capability
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate guide members (first guide member and second guide member) that can move independently relative to each other. Each guide member contains multiple contacts that can float independently, allowing the connector to compensate for misalignment while maintaining stable electrical connections through the segmented floating structure
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members are designed to be movable and flexible rather than rigid, allowing them to adjust their positions dynamically to accommodate misalignment between printed circuit boards. The biasing member provides dynamic force to maintain contact pressure while allowing positional adjustment
2Length of moving object
If the connector profile is reduced to below 8 mm, then the connector achieves low profile design, but the total achievable misalignment compensation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are nested within each other in a compact arrangement, with the first guide member containing contacts and the second guide member containing corresponding contacts. This nested structure achieves a low profile height while maintaining the floating mechanism capability for misalignment compensation
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members are designed with flexible characteristics, allowing them to bend and adjust within the limited space of a low-profile connector. This flexibility enables misalignment compensation without requiring excessive height, achieving both compact size and adaptive capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If guide members are designed to be movable and flexible, then the connector achieves float capability for misalignment compensation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they guide the insertion of contacts, provide floating capability for misalignment compensation, and act as structural support elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving float capability
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features and latching features are integrated directly into the guide members rather than being separate components. The biasing member is incorporated within the nested structure of the guide members, merging multiple functional elements into a unified design that achieves float capability without excessive complexity
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 float connector effectively compensates for both axial and radial misalignment, ensuring reliable electrical connections in low-profile applications while protecting contacts from damage during assembly and use.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member disposed between the first and second guide members, the biasing member biasing the first and second guide members away from one another
Implementation Method 2
each of the first and second alignment features is an alignment pin with a printed circuit board engaging end for engaging one of the printed circuit boards
Implementation Method 3
the first and second latching features are spring arms and each spring arm engages a detent on outer surface of the holder in a snap engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A method of interconnecting first and second printed circuit boards using a float connector with a contact assembly that includes installing a first guide member onto the first printed circuit board with the float connector in an open non-compressed position, after installing the first guide member onto the first printed circuit board, installing a second guide member onto the second printed circuit board with the float connector in the open non-compressed position, and compressing the first and second printed circuit boards toward one another to move the float connector from the open non-compressed position to a compressed position until contact ends of the contact assembly of the float connector are exposed outside of the first and second guide members, respectively, thereby electrically connecting the contact ends to the first and second printed circuit boards, respectively, for electrical connection between the first and second printed circuit boards through the float connector.