Floating Electrical Connector for Perpendicular Board Thermal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing thermal communication between circuit boards and conduction cooling components is challenging after electrical connectors are mated, especially when the boards are oriented perpendicular to each other, as the connectors may not be able to move sufficiently to engage with the cooling component without damaging the electrical connection.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design that allows the second connector to move relative to the first connector along a float axis perpendicular to the second plane after mating, with a plug and receptacle configuration that accommodates this movement, enabling the circuit board to be aligned with a conduction cooling member for thermal communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical connectors are mated together rigidly, then the electrical connection is stable, but the circuit board cannot be moved into thermal communication with the conduction cooling component
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly incorporates a floating mechanism that allows dynamic movement along the float axis perpendicular to the second circuit board. This enables the second circuit board to be moved into thermal communication with the conduction cooling component while the electrical connectors remain mated together, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the electrical connectors are rotated relative to each other to establish thermal communication, then the circuit board can engage with the cooling component, but the electrical connectors may be damaged or the electrical connection broken
Solution Approach 1:
The floating connector design allows linear movement along the float axis without requiring rotation. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables thermal communication establishment while maintaining the electrical connection integrity, avoiding the damage that would occur with rotational movement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the connectors in the plane of the circuit boards, the invention introduces movement along a new dimension (the float axis perpendicular to the second circuit board). This dimensional change allows thermal communication to be established without compromising the electrical connection.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the connector structure is made rigid to maintain electrical connection, then the connection is stable, but the connector cannot move to align the circuit board with the cooling component
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly combines rigid electrical connection components with a floating mechanism that provides controlled movement capability. This allows the structure to maintain stability for electrical connections while adapting its position along the float axis to achieve thermal communication with the cooling component.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector assembly includes a first connector (16) having a first mounting side (24) that extends along a first plane (30). The first connector (16) is configured to be mounted to a first circuit board (12) along the first mounting side (24) such that the first circuit board (12) extends approximately parallel to the first plane (30). A second connector (18) is configured to mate with the first connector (16). The second connector (18) has a second mounting side (42) that extends along a second plane (50) that extends approximately perpendicular to the first plane (30). The second connector (18) is configured to be mounted to a second circuit board (14) along the second mounting side (42) such that the second circuit board (14) extends approximately parallel to the second plane (50). The first (16) and second (18) connectors are configured to move relative to each other along a float axis (56) that extends approximately perpendicular to the second plane (50) when the first (16) and second (18) connectors are mated together.