Floatable Coaxial Connector for Board-to-Board Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blind-mating coaxial connector interfaces in board-to-board assemblies face challenges in accurate alignment due to inconsistent processing and deformation of printed circuit boards, affecting return loss performance and PIM characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A coaxial connector design featuring floatable outer and inner conductor components with elastic elements and protrusions for secure mechanical and electrical connections, allowing for radial and axial floating to ensure reliable contact despite misalignment or deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If blind-mating coaxial connector interfaces are used in board-to-board assemblies, then connection speed and ease of operation are improved, but alignment accuracy and connection reliability deteriorate due to inconsistent processing and deformation of printed circuit boards
Solution Approach 1:
The connector components are designed with floatable characteristics, allowing them to move dynamically to accommodate misalignment. The outer conductor and inner conductor are separated into multiple components that can float relative to each other, enabling automatic alignment adjustment during the connection process while maintaining blind-mating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the connector components from fixed to floatable by introducing elastic elements and separation structures. This parameter change allows the connectors to adapt to dimensional variations and deformations in the printed circuit boards, resolving the contradiction between easy operation and alignment accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If blind-mating coaxial connector interfaces are used, then ease of operation is improved, but return loss performance and PIM characteristics worsen due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The floatable design allows the connector components to dynamically adjust their positions to achieve optimal alignment, ensuring consistent return loss performance and PIM characteristics even when the printed circuit boards have processing variations or deformations.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic elements and floatable structures provide beforehand cushioning that compensates for potential misalignment issues before connection occurs, ensuring that the electrical contact is always optimal regardless of board deformation or processing inconsistencies.
3Reliability
If floatable conductor components are introduced, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into multiple floatable components (outer conductor components, inner conductor components) that can move independently. This segmentation enables each component to adjust to misalignment, improving reliability while keeping the overall complexity manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the inner conductor components are positioned within the outer conductor components. This nesting arrangement allows the floatable mechanism to be integrated compactly, reducing the overall complexity increase while maintaining the reliability benefits of the floatable design.
Data Source
AI summary
A coaxial connector comprises an outer conductor, an inner conductor, and a dielectric spacer disposed between the outer conductor and the inner conductor. The outer conductor includes a first outer conductor component and a second outer conductor component configured to be floatable axially and radially relative to the first outer conductor component. The inner conductor includes a first inner conductor component and a second inner conductor component configured to be floatable axially and radially relative to the first inner conductor component. The coaxial connector further includes a first elastic element disposed around an outer circumference of the proximal portion of the second outer conductor component, and a second elastic element disposed in the cavity of the first inner conductor component. The coaxial connector is self-adaptive for the mating, and is particularly suitable for board-to-board connector assemblies and may ensure a high return loss performance and good PIM characteristics.