Interlocking Board Coupling With Retractable Connectors for Modular Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connected autonomous sensors lack modularity and interchangeability, requiring complete replacement of sensors, which is costly and generates waste, and maintenance is difficult without specific tools or expertise.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a motherboard and daughterboard coupled by a force feedback and interlocking system, allowing quick and secure mechanical and electrical connection/disconnection, using a compressible retraction assembly and removable support assembly to facilitate sensor interchangeability and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electronic board is integrated in the housing, then the device structure is simple, but modularity and interchangeability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device is divided into separate modular components: a mother board and a daughter board, each functioning as an independent unit that can be separately manufactured, tested, and replaced. The daughter board contains the sensor and can be exchanged without affecting the mother board or housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mother board is designed with universal connection interfaces and mounting structures that can accommodate different types of daughter boards. This allows the same mother board to work with multiple sensor types or configurations, enhancing adaptability while maintaining a simple overall device structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor is assembled in the factory without modularity, then manufacturing is simplified, but maintenance and replacement become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is segmented into a removable daughter board that can be independently handled during maintenance. This allows field replacement of the sensor without requiring disassembly of the entire device or specialized tools, maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically improving ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The daughter board is designed to be replaceable by the end user without requiring technical expertise or special tools. The mechanical coupling system and electrical connectors are configured to allow simple plug-and-play replacement, enabling self-service maintenance and reducing dependency on factory assembly capabilities for repairs.
3Reliability
If complete sensor replacement is required for broken components, then reliability is maintained, but cost and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into replaceable daughter boards that can be exchanged when components fail. This allows replacement of only the affected sensor module rather than the entire sensor assembly, reducing waste while maintaining reliability through functional replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular daughter board design enables recovery and potential reuse of the mother board and other components when a sensor fails. Only the defective daughter board is discarded or sent for specialized recycling, significantly reducing material waste compared to complete sensor replacement while ensuring reliability through proper component substitution.
4Loss of time
If rapid connection/disconnection is enabled, then maintenance time is reduced, but connector protection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling system and electrical connector are merged into a single integrated assembly on the daughter board. This allows simultaneous engagement or disengagement of both mechanical and electrical connections through one action, achieving rapid connection/disconnection while the integrated design provides inherent protection for the connectors during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors are pre-positioned and pre-aligned in their respective mating locations on the mother and daughter boards. This preliminary configuration ensures that when connection or disconnection occurs, the connectors are already in the correct position and orientation, enabling rapid operation while minimizing exposure to potential damage during the transition state.
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
Enables quick, reliable, and tool-free connection/disconnection with automatic power cutoff, protecting connectors and guiding them to prevent damage, while allowing modularity and reducing waste through interchangeable components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compressible push member (33) exerting a push on said upper plate (32)
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device (1) comprising two electronic boards and a force feedback and interlocking coupling system for mechanically and electrically coupling same, comprising: a base (2) receiving a daughterboard having daughter connectors; a compressible retraction assembly received in the base and configurable between an idle configuration, wherein the daughter connectors are retracted, and a compressed configuration, wherein the daughter connectors are extended; a removable support assembly (4) receiving an electrical battery and having a lower portion (41) supporting mother connectors connected to a motherboard and capable of being interconnected with the daughter connectors in the compressed configuration and capable of being disconnected in the idle configuration; a protective cover (7) mounted on the removable support assembly; and an interlocking system (8) for locking the protective cover (7) onto the removable support assembly.