Grounding Connector Structure for Reflow Alignment Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In connectors, misalignment between conductive members and alignment members due to different thermal expansion coefficients during the reflow process can cause malfunction, especially with narrow contact pitches and high-frequency applications, leading to poor signal transmission characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a conductive member and alignment member coupled through protrusions and holes, with specific configurations in the center and end areas to minimize thermal misalignment, and additional ribs for secure positioning, ensuring electrical connection for noise absorption and maintaining alignment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive member and alignment member are used together in a connector, then high frequency characteristics are improved through noise absorption, but relative misalignment occurs between the members during the reflow process due to different thermal expansion coefficients
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment member is embedded within the conductive member, with the alignment member's outer peripheral surface fitting into an accommodating space formed by the inner peripheral surface of the conductive member. This nested configuration allows the alignment member to be positioned centrally and securely within the conductive member, preventing relative misalignment during thermal expansion in the reflow process while maintaining electrical connection for noise absorption.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the alignment member is made slidable relative to the housing, then thermal impact from the housing is reduced, but misalignment between the conductive member and alignment member may still occur during reflow
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment member and conductive member are combined into a integrated structure where the alignment member is embedded within the conductive member. This merging ensures that both members expand together during the reflow process, eliminating relative misalignment while the alignment member remains decoupled from the housing to avoid direct thermal impact from the housing.
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 ensures good high-frequency characteristics by absorbing noise and preventing relative misalignment between the conductive and alignment members during thermal expansion, maintaining position accuracy and reducing stress in the reflow process.
Implementation Method 1
When the conductive member and the alignment member have different thermal expansion coefficients, relative misalignment between the conductive member and the alignment member may occur
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a connector including: a pin group having contact pins aligned in a predetermined direction; an alignment member formed extending in the predetermined direction and having an alignment groove at an end in a width direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, the alignment groove being for aligning the contact pins; and a conductive member formed extending in the predetermined direction, coupled to the alignment member, and electrically connected to the contact pins used for grounding. The alignment member includes any one of a first protrusion and a first hole configured to accommodate the first protrusion in a center area in the predetermined direction, the conductive member includes the other of the first protrusion and the first hole in the center area in the predetermined direction, and the alignment member and the conductive member are coupled to each other by the first protrusion being secured in the first hole.