PCB Connector With Rotatable Insulating Body Orientation Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors for circuit boards can only be oriented by rotating the entire connector, which requires adjusting the circuit board layout and limits their use on boards running orthogonally or parallel to the plug-in direction.

Innovation Solution

A circular plug connector with an insulating body that can be inserted into its base body in multiple rotational positions, secured by corresponding teeth, allowing the mating face to be fixed in a predetermined orientation without altering the base body's space requirements, and featuring a shield plate for connection to the circuit board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the connector is rotated on the circuit board to change orientation, then the mating face orientation can be adjusted, but the circuit board layout must be changed and space requirements are altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemating face orientationVSAvoidcircuit board layout
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into two functional parts: a base body that remains fixed on the circuit board and an insulating body that can be rotated independently. The base body contains a receptacle with toothing that engages with corresponding toothing on the insulating body, allowing the insulating body to be rotated to different orientations while the base body stays in the same position on the circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating body is designed to be rotatable within the base body receptacle, transitioning from a static fixed-orientation connector to a dynamic adjustable-orientation connector. The toothing mechanism allows controlled rotation to predetermined positions while maintaining secure engagement at each position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the connector is designed for orthogonal mounting, then it cannot be used for parallel mounting, and vice versa

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting orientationVSAvoidconnector design
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The base body receptacle is designed with a symmetric circular geometry and toothing arrangement that allows the insulating body to be inserted and secured in multiple orientations (orthogonal, parallel, and intermediate positions). This universal design enables the same connector to accommodate different circuit board orientations without requiring separate connector designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the insulating body can be inserted in multiple rotational positions, then the mating face orientation can be adjusted, but securing against rotation requires additional locking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational position adjustmentVSAvoidlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The toothing on the base body receptacle and the toothing on the insulating body are designed to merge and interlock, forming a unified engagement system. The teeth of both components have complementary shapes that naturally lock together, providing secure fixation against rotation without requiring separate locking mechanisms. The toothing serves both the guidance and locking functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4231463B1Connector for mounting on a printed circuit board
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 PROVERTHA CONNECTORS CABLES & SOLUTIONS
  • EP4231463B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4231463B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4231463B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a connector (1) for mounting on a printed circuit board (2) comprising an insulating body (10) for receiving contact elements (11) that can be contacted with the printed circuit board (2), a base body (20) and a shielding plate (30), wherein the base body (20) has a receptacle (21) in which the insulating body (10) can be inserted in different rotational positions rotated about its longitudinal axis (L), wherein the base body (20) and the insulating body (10) form a corresponding toothing, by which the rotational positions are determined and the insulating body (10) inserted into the receptacle (21) is secured in its rotational position against rotation about its longitudinal axis (L), wherein the shielding plate (30) surrounds the base body (20) and has contact sections (31) for connection to the printed circuit board (2).