Magnetic PCB Edge Connector for Low-Force Secure Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing edge connectors for printed circuit boards (PCBs) rely on mechanical strength, which can be improved by incorporating magnetic forces to enhance connection stability and reduce insertion force requirements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating magnetic couplers, such as magnets or ferrous metal tabs, to create a magnetic attraction between the male and female edge connectors, allowing for a secure connection while reducing the force needed for insertion and ensuring proper orientation through magnetic repulsion when misaligned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic couplers are incorporated into edge connectors, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical retention mechanisms (such as clips, latches, or complex interlocking structures) with magnetic couplers that use magnetic attraction forces to retain the edge connector in the connector receptacle. This substitution simplifies the overall structure while improving connection stability, as the magnetic force provides continuous retention without requiring complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates magnetic couplers with specific magnetic field strengths and polarities to achieve optimal connection stability. By adjusting magnetic field parameters (strength, distribution, and polarity), the system achieves reliable retention while maintaining a simple structure. The magnetic parameters are optimized to provide sufficient holding force without requiring additional mechanical complexity.
2Force
If magnetic couplers are used to retain the edge connector, then insertion force is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic couplers are pre-positioned and pre-assembled into the connector structure before final assembly with the edge connector. This preliminary positioning ensures that the magnetic fields are correctly aligned and activated as soon as the edge connector approaches the receptacle, thereby reducing the insertion force required. The pre-positioning also helps establish clear tolerance zones that guide the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic couplers act as intermediary elements between the edge connector and the connector receptacle, providing a force field that mediates the interaction. This magnetic intermediary reduces direct mechanical contact forces during insertion, allowing for more forgiving positioning tolerances compared to direct mechanical engagement, thereby reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.
3Ease of operation
If magnetic repulsion is used for orientation keying, then ease of operation is improved, but force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic couplers are designed to provide dynamic interaction during the insertion process. As the edge connector approaches the receptacle, the magnetic repulsion force dynamically increases to guide orientation alignment, then transitions to attraction to facilitate insertion. This dynamic force modulation provides intuitive operational feedback while keeping peak force requirements manageable, as the repulsion is only active during the alignment phase before engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field interaction occurs in periodic phases: first repulsion for orientation keying and alignment, then attraction for retention after proper insertion. This periodic action allows the system to use magnetic repulsion temporarily for orientation guidance without requiring continuously high force levels, thereby improving ease of operation while controlling overall force requirements.
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 magnetic couplers provide a stable and secure connection by reducing the insertion force and ensuring correct orientation, maintaining electrical contact while allowing easy insertion and retention of the PCB, thus enhancing the mechanical and electrical reliability of the connector system.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic couplers use a magnetic force to retain the male edge connector in the female connector
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic couplers use the magnetic force to reduce the insertion force needed to insert the male edge connector into the female coupler
Implementation Method 3
magnetic couplers may exert a magnetic force (e.g., repulsion) to prevent the insertion of the edge connector into another connector if the orientation of the edge connector does not match the expected orientation
Data Source
AI summary
An edge connector on a printed circuit board (“PCB”) uses a magnetic force to retain the PCB connected to another connector and to reduce the insertion force. In an example embodiment, a male edge connector includes a first magnetic connector and a female connector includes a second magnetic connector. A first force of attraction between the first magnetic connector and the second magnetic connector holds the male edge connector inserted into the female connector. The first force of attraction further reduces the force required to insert the male edge connector into the female connector.