Open-Ended Slotted Connector Assembly for Higher Current Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power connectors for circuit boards are limited by closed longitudinal slots, restricting the size of the electrical contact pad, reducing current carrying capacity and heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector with an insulating housing featuring a slot with at least one open end, allowing the circuit board to extend outside, thereby increasing the size of the electrical contact pad and enhancing current and heat dissipation capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the slot is closed at both longitudinal ends, then the insulating housing maintains structural integrity, but the electrical contact pad size is limited and current carrying capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is segmented into an open end and a closed end, allowing the circuit board to extend outward through the open end while the closed end maintains structural support. This segmentation enables the electrical contact pad to have both a region within the insulating housing and a region extending outside, effectively increasing the contact pad area without compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contact pad is designed to extend in multiple dimensions - both within the insulating housing and outward beyond the housing through the open slot end. This dimensional extension increases the effective contact area available for electrical connection, thereby improving current carrying capacity while maintaining a compact overall connector design.
2Temperature
If the circuit board is constrained within the insulating housing, then the connector maintains compact structure, but heat dissipation capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The slot structure is segmented with one open end and one closed end, creating distinct functional zones. The open end provides a pathway for the circuit board to extend outward, exposing portions of the electrical contact pad to external environments for enhanced heat dissipation, while the closed end maintains the compact housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contact pad utilizes three-dimensional space by extending both within the insulating housing and outward beyond it. This spatial arrangement allows heat to dissipate from multiple surfaces and locations, increasing overall heat dissipation capacity without significantly increasing the connector's external dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly comprises a connector including an insulating housing formed with a slot extending in a longitudinal direction and having at least one open end. A first circuit board is inserted into the slot and includes an electrical contact pad for electrically contacting a conductive terminal arranged within the slot, the electrical contact pad of the first circuit board extends in the longitudinal direction outside of the insulating housing of the connector via the open end of the slot.