Low-Profile PCB Contactors for RF Coupling in Tight Board Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of electronics has created a challenge in packaging multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs) closely together due to the size constraints of traditional board-to-board connectors and contactors, which hinder efficient electrical communication of data and radio frequency signals.
Innovation Solution
The development of low profile board-to-board interface contactors, comprising a shield body housing, a shield lid, an insulating interposer, a press-biased conductive pin, and a compression member, with spring contact arms and interlock mechanisms, allowing for compact electrical coupling of signals between PCBs while maintaining mechanical stability and shielding against electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional board-to-board connectors are used, then electrical communication between PCBs is achieved, but the connector size is large which prevents close packaging of multiple PCBs
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive pin is nested within the insulating interposer, which is in turn nested within the shield body housing. The shield lid covers the housing, creating a compact nested structure that reduces overall connector volume while maintaining electrical communication functionality through the central contactor opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring contact arm extends vertically from the shield body housing to provide contact, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve electrical connection without increasing the horizontal footprint of the connector, thereby enabling closer PCB packaging.
2Volume of moving object
If PCBs are packaged closely together, then device size is reduced, but spacing requirements prevent achieving sufficient electrical coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The spring contact arm provides a compliant electrical connection that can accommodate variations in spacing between PCBs. The spring mechanism allows the connector to function effectively over a range of spacing parameters, enabling close PCB packaging while maintaining reliable electrical coupling.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shielded housing is used to protect against electromagnetic interference, then signal integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield body housing and shield lid are merged to form a complete shielding enclosure around the conductive pin and insulating interposer. This combined shielding structure protects against electromagnetic interference while maintaining a relatively simple overall design through the integration of these components.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating interposer serves multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation around the conductive pin, maintains mechanical positioning of the pin within the housing, and supports the spring contact arm. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 efficient electrical coupling of RF and data signals between PCBs in a compact form factor, accommodating non-zero angles between PCBs and reducing the spacing requirements, thus facilitating the closer packaging of electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
The spring contact arm is positioned within the shield body housing and is spring-biased to extend toward a bottom surface of the shield lid
Implementation Method 2
The compression member applies a compression bias against a bottom surface of the conductive pin
Data Source
AI summary
Low profile board-to-board interface contactors are described. In one example, a board-to-board interface contactor includes a shield body housing, a shield lid over the shield body housing, an insulating interposer within the shield body housing, a press-biased conductive pin, and a compression member. The shield body housing includes a spring contact arm. The shield lid is positioned over the shield body housing and is seated upon the spring contact arm. The shield lid includes a central contactor opening through which the conductive pin can extend to facilitate electrical contact for the communication of a radio frequency signal. The insulating interposer is positioned within the shield body housing, with the press-biased conductive pin extending through an aperture in the insulating interposer. The compression member is positioned with the insulating interposer, under the press-biased conductive pin, and the compression member applies a compression bias against a bottom surface of the conductive pin.