Hybrid Floating Connector for PCB Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors fail to adequately compensate for misalignments between circuit boards, leading to signal distortion, electromagnetic interference, and power discontinuity due to intrinsic dimensional mismatches and manufacturing variances.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid floating electrical connector design featuring movable support members and elastic members, such as silicone rubber gaskets, to accommodate mechanical tolerances and misalignments, ensuring reliable interconnections between circuit boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid electrical connectors are used, then manufacturing precision is simplified, but misalignment between circuit boards causes signal distortion and power discontinuity
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs movable support members that can shift position dynamically to accommodate misalignment between circuit boards. The support members are coupled to the housing through elastic members, enabling the connector to adapt its configuration based on actual alignment conditions rather than requiring precise fixed positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members change their physical parameters (deformation, stiffness) in response to misalignment forces, allowing the connector to compensate for positional offsets. This parameter change enables the system to maintain reliable electrical connection despite variations in manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If movable support members with elastic members are added, then misalignment compensation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a housing, multiple movable support members, and elastic members. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall misalignment compensation capability, making the complex system manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members act as intermediaries between the rigid housing and the movable support members. They transmit and modulate forces, enabling smooth movement and compensation without direct rigid connections, thus reducing the complexity of mechanical coupling while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If support members are made movable, then positional offset compensation is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector exhibits different mechanical properties in different locations: the housing maintains rigid structural stability, while the support members localized at specific positions are made movable through elastic coupling. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve both stability and adaptability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members are pre-installed between the housing and support members to provide cushioning and shock absorption. This beforehand cushioning allows the support members to move smoothly and return to their original positions, maintaining structural stability while enabling positional compensation.
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 design provides accurate and reliable connections by compensating for positional offsets, reducing interference, and extending the connector's service life through flexible and resilient alignment mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a support member at least partially disposed in the housing and compliantly coupled to the housing
Implementation Method 2
a flexible member disposed in the housing and electrically connecting respective first conductive elements of the first interface with respective second conductive elements of the second interface
Data Source
AI summary
Hybrid floating electrical connectors and electronic systems thereof. A floating electrical connector includes a housing comprising first and second sides, and first and second interfaces at the first and second sides of the housing respectively. Each of the first and second interfaces comprises conductive elements rigidly fixed to a respective support member, which is compliantly coupled to the housing. Each of the first and second interfaces can provide both signals and power. A flexible member is disposed in the housing and electrically connecting the first and second interfaces. For example, two printed circuit boards with mating contact pads may be connected by a flexible flat cable. The first and second interfaces can mate with board connectors mounted to different circuit boards, with the support members fixedly connected to board connector housings. Such a configuration can enable accurate and reliable interconnections between different circuit boards while providing increased tolerance of misalignments.