Floating Connector Substrate for Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing docking devices face challenges in ensuring smooth and certain connections between connectors and connection terminals of portable information devices due to misalignment and manufacturing tolerances, which can lead to reduced position accuracy and difficulty in connecting multiple connectors in parallel.
Innovation Solution
A docking device with multiple connectors mounted on first and second substrates, connected by a substrate connecting member that allows relative displacement, enabling automatic pitch adjustment to accommodate misalignment and manufacturing errors, ensuring smooth and certain connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If connectors are mounted on substrates with fixed positions, then manufacturing is simplified, but misalignment and manufacturing tolerances prevent smooth and certain connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the connector position adjustable rather than fixed. The connector can move in the pitch direction to accommodate misalignment and manufacturing tolerances, transforming a static mounting system into a dynamic one that self-adjusts during connection. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple substrate mounting while achieving reliable connection through controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the connector from fixed to variable. By allowing the connector to change its position within a certain range, the system can adapt to pitch variations and misalignment, thereby achieving reliable connection without complicating the manufacturing process.
2Ease of operation
If horizontal connector is placed at distance from positioning portion, then device placement is simplified, but manufacturing tolerances accumulate and reduce connector position accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics by enabling the connector to move horizontally to compensate for accumulated manufacturing tolerances. Even though the connector is positioned far from the positioning portion for ease of device placement, the adjustable mechanism allows it to self-correct position errors, maintaining connection accuracy despite the distance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connectors are arranged in parallel, then connection functionality is expanded, but pitch variation makes smooth connection more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing each connector in the parallel arrangement to move independently in the pitch direction. This independent adjustability enables each connector to compensate for pitch variations, ensuring that all parallel connectors can achieve smooth and reliable connection simultaneously, thus maintaining high functionality and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A docking device is provided. A portable information device can be removably attached to a docking device. The docking device includes first and second connectors that are connected to connection terminals provided on the portable information device. The docking device further includes: a first substrate with the first connector mounted thereon; a second substrate with the second connector other than the first connector mounted on the first substrate mounted thereon; and a substrate connecting member that connects between the first and second connectors in a floating state that allows relative displacement.