Low-Profile PCB Edge Connector for Dense Reliable Board Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing electrical connectors for small electronic devices is challenging due to space constraints, requiring time-consuming selection and qualification processes to ensure proper functioning, and existing connectors may not efficiently utilize available space.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile electrical connector design with specific dimensions and terminal configurations, allowing for alignment with circuit board edges and efficient use of space, featuring conductive power and signal terminals with defined orientations and arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional electrical connectors are used, then reliable electrical interconnections are achieved, but the connector height and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional vertical connector orientation to a horizontal board-to-board configuration where connectors mate parallel to the circuit board surfaces. This dimensional change allows the connector housing to have reduced height (5.0mm to 14.0mm) while maintaining reliable electrical connections through side-by-side terminal engagement rather than top-down contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a housing portion mounted on the circuit board, terminal portions extending from the housing, and contact portions for mating engagement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling compact overall dimensions while ensuring reliable contact through dedicated contact regions.
2Area of stationary object
If connector density is increased to fit more connections, then space efficiency improves, but connector complexity and design qualification time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal housing and terminal designs that can accommodate multiple terminal configurations and densities within the same basic connector architecture. The standardized housing structure with integrated terminal mounting allows the same connector type to serve various connection densities, reducing the need for multiple specialized connector designs and simplifying qualification processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and conductive power and signal terminals. The housing has a mating interface that engages with a mating connector. The power terminals and signal terminals are attached to the housing and exposed at the mating interface. The housing is configured to be mounted on a circuit board such that a side housing surface is aligned with an edge of the circuit board. The connector may have a right-angle configuration and may mate with a right-angle mating connector such that an edge of the circuit board of the connector and an edge of a circuit board of the mating connector are aligned edge to edge and directly face each other to form a flat pair, or may mate with a vertical mating connector to form a corner pair. The power terminals and the signals terminals may be arranged in arrays of columns and rows.