Multi-Slot PCB Electrical Connector with Segmented Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for interconnecting printed circuit boards (PCBs) in stacked configurations within a chassis face challenges such as high costs, reliability issues, and ease of use problems due to the use of flexible cables, which can be expensive and difficult to manage in tightly confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrical connector with spaced apart, parallel mating slots and pairs of terminals that are either electrically connected or isolated, allowing for flexible terminals to resiliently flex and make contact, thereby providing an efficient and cost-effective solution for interconnecting multiple PCBs without the need for extensive flexible cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible cables are used to interconnect PCBs in stacked configurations, then electrical connection between PCBs is achieved, but cost increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in managing cables in tightly confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple independent terminal pairs, each pair consisting of a male terminal in one mating slot and a female terminal in another mating slot. This segmentation allows each terminal pair to function independently, eliminating the need for continuous flexible cables while maintaining reliable electrical connections between multiple PCBs in stacked configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing acts as an intermediary structure that provides fixed electrical connection paths between PCBs through integrated terminal pairs. This intermediary structure replaces flexible cables as the mediating element, providing stable electrical connectivity while improving ease of operation by eliminating cable management issues in confined spaces
2Reliability
If flexible cables are used to interconnect PCBs, then electrical connection is provided, but cost increases due to the expensive nature of flexible cables
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple terminal pairs are merged into a single integrated connector housing, eliminating the need for separate flexible cables for each PCB connection. This consolidation reduces overall cost by replacing expensive flexible cables with a more economical rigid connector structure that provides the same electrical interconnection function
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid connector with integrated terminal pairs provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive flexible cables. The connector structure is designed to be more economical while maintaining reliable electrical connections, effectively replacing the expensive flexible cable solution with a cheaper rigid alternative
3Reliability
If multiple PCBs are interconnected using traditional methods, then electrical connection is achieved, but device complexity increases and space constraints are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple PCBs are arranged in a stacked nested configuration, with each PCB inserted into its own mating slot within the same connector housing. This nesting arrangement reduces device complexity by consolidating multiple connection points into a single compact structure, eliminating the need for extensive cable routing and management
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes the vertical dimension by stacking PCBs in multiple levels within a single housing structure. This dimensional approach reduces space constraints and simplifies the overall device complexity by organizing connections in three-dimensional space rather than requiring extensive two-dimensional cable routing
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
This solution enables reliable and cost-effective electrical connections between PCBs, improving ease of use and reducing space constraints, while maintaining the reliability and efficiency required for applications like solid-state drives.
Implementation Method 1
Each flexible first terminal corresponds to a flexible second terminal, such that corresponding first and second terminals can resiliently flex toward and make contact with one another
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector provides electrical connection between first, second, and third printed circuit boards (PCBs). The connector defines spaced apart substantially parallel, first, second and third mating slots and includes a plurality of pairs of first terminals and a plurality of pairs of second terminals. For each pair of first terminals: the first terminals are electrically connected to each other; one of the first terminals is disposed in the first mating slot; and the other of the first terminals is disposed in the third mating slot. For each pair of second terminals: the second terminals are electrically isolated from each other; one of the second terminals is disposed in the second mating slot; and the other of the second terminals is disposed in the third mating slot. When first, second and third PCBs are received in the respective first, second and third mating slots, each pair of first terminals electrically connects corresponding traces of the first and third PCBs and each pair of second terminals electrically connects corresponding traces of the second and third PCBs.