PCB Connector Assembly With Counterweight to Prevent Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printed circuit board connectors often have an unfavorable center of gravity, leading to tilting during assembly, which can damage electrical terminals and requires additional complexity and space for fixing means.
Innovation Solution
A preassembled printed circuit board arrangement where a weight is attached to the connector to reposition the center of gravity within the board plane, preventing tilting by utilizing adhesive and frictional forces, and potentially including a coding mechanism to ensure correct assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the printed circuit board connector is designed with its center of gravity projected outside the printed circuit board plane, then the connector structure can be more compact and space-efficient, but the connector tends to tilt during assembly which can damage electrical terminals
Solution Approach 1:
A weight element is attached to the printed circuit board connector to create a counterbalancing effect. The weight is positioned such that the combined center of gravity of the connector and weight shifts toward the printed circuit board, counteracting the tendency of the connector to tilt during assembly. This allows the connector to maintain its compact design while achieving stable assembly without requiring additional fixing means.
2Reliability
If additional fixing means are added to prevent tilting of the connector, then assembly reliability improves, but device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex fixing means such as clips, latches, or additional fastening mechanisms, the patent uses a simple weight element to prevent tilting. The weight creates a gravitational stabilizing effect that passively prevents the connector from tilting during assembly, thereby improving reliability without increasing device complexity or requiring additional installation space.
3Reliability
If additional fixing means are added to secure the connector, then tilting prevention improves, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weight element serves as a space-efficient solution for preventing tilting. By attaching a compact weight to the connector, the patent achieves reliable tilting prevention without requiring additional installation space for fixing mechanisms. The weight integrates into the existing connector structure, maintaining compact overall dimensions while ensuring stable assembly.
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 solution stabilizes the connector, preventing tilting and damage, while allowing for compact design and ensuring proper assembly, thus enhancing assembly efficiency and reducing installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the printed circuit board connector per se in an assembled position has a center of gravity which is projected into the printed circuit board plane and is situated outside the printed circuit board, and wherein a composite of the printed circuit board connector and the weight in an assembled position has a center of gravity which is projected into the printed circuit board plane and from the printed circuit board has a smaller spacing or no spacing
Implementation Method 2
The present disclosure teaches that the printed circuit board connector for repositioning the center of gravity is connected to a weight before the printed circuit board connector is preassembled the printed circuit board
Implementation Method 3
In order for this compromise to be implemented in practice, it can also be advantageous to take into account adhesive forces and/or frictional forces between the composite and the printed circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly, comprising: a circuit board; a electrical connector mounted to a circuit board; and a counterweight mounted to the circuit board, wherein the counterweight contacts a first major surface of the circuit board, a center of gravity of the electrical connector is not situated in a plane that perpendicularly intersects the first major surface, a combined center of gravity of the electrical connector and the counterweight is situated in a plane that perpendicularly intersects the first major surface, the counterweight arches over an outer circumference of the electrical connector.