Floating Board Connector Structure for Misalignment Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional board-to-board connectors face issues with misalignment absorption due to similar elastic deformation of signal and power supply terminals, leading to potential damage and difficulty in miniaturization amidst size reduction trends in electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a fixed and movable housing, featuring power supply terminals with distinct retained portions extending along different directions, allowing for enhanced displacement freedom while maintaining a mated state, and incorporating a simple structure with fewer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the elastic deformation portion of the signal terminal and the elastic deformation portion of the power supply terminal have the same form, then the structure is simple, but position offset between the floating connector and the counterpart connector may not be appropriately absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply terminal is segmented into distinct elastic deformation portions: a first elastic deformation portion extending in the longitudinal direction and a second elastic deformation portion extending in the width direction. This segmentation allows different directions of offset absorption, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and alignment absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the power supply terminal are given different elastic properties oriented in different directions. The first elastic deformation portion provides flexibility in the longitudinal direction while the second elastic deformation portion provides flexibility in the width direction, creating local quality variations that enable comprehensive offset absorption.
2Volume of moving object
If the connector size is reduced to support miniaturization, then electronic device size decreases, but the degree of freedom of deformation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic deformation capability is extended from a single direction to multiple dimensions by adding the second elastic deformation portion in the width direction. This dimensional expansion allows the connector to maintain high adaptability for offset absorption while accommodating miniaturization requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple elastic deformation portions are nested within the compact connector structure, with the first and second elastic deformation portions integrated into the power supply terminal body. This nesting allows complex deformation capabilities to be achieved within a minimized volume.
3Reliability
If a separate reinforcing member is attached to prevent damage during mating, then reliability increases, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing function is merged with the existing power supply terminal structure. The first and second elastic deformation portions serve dual purposes: providing flexibility for offset absorption and acting as reinforcing elements that prevent damage during mating operations. This eliminates the need for separate reinforcing members.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformation portions of the power supply terminal are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: absorbing positional offsets in different directions and providing structural reinforcement to prevent damage. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between reliability and device 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
Ensures reliable alignment absorption, supports size reduction, simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and enhances connector reliability with a minimal component count.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic deformation portion (not shown) formed between the contact portion 865 and the board connecting portion 863
Data Source
AI summary
The fixed housing includes a long wall portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector and a short wall portion extending in the width direction of the connector and connected to the long wall portion. The movable housing includes a long wall portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector and a short wall portion extending in the width direction of the connector and connected to the long wall portion. The power supply terminal includes a fixed-side retained portion retained on the short wall portion of the fixed housing, a movable-side retained portion retained on the movable housing, and a bent portion connected to the fixed-side retained portion and the movable-side retained portion. The movable-side retained portion includes a first retained portion retained on the short wall portion and a second retained portion retained on the long wall portion.