PCB Plug Connector Decoupling Alignment and Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of multiple HF coaxial connectors on a printed circuit board is complex and expensive due to the need for precise alignment and positioning of soldering pins and surfaces, which complicates the electrical and mechanical contacting process.

Innovation Solution

A multiple printed circuit board connector design that decouples the plug-in function from the electrical contacting, using a mounting part with separate contact devices to establish electrical contact, allowing for easier alignment and assembly, and featuring a clamping contact with nickel-coated surfaces for high-frequency applications and solderable tin surfaces for reliable connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple HF coaxial connectors are integrated into one component with a connector strip, then the quantity of connectors is increased, but the alignment precision requirement for soldering pins and surfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of connectorsVSAvoidalignment precision of soldering pins and surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into separate contact parts that can be inserted into the mounting part individually. Each contact part contains contact elements that make electrical contact with conductors on the printed circuit board. This segmentation allows each contact part to be positioned independently, reducing the overall alignment precision requirements compared to integrating all connectors into a single rigid connector strip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting part serves as an intermediary component between the contact parts and the printed circuit board. It provides a structure with openings for inserting contact parts and establishes electrical connections between the contact elements and the circuit board conductors. This intermediary structure simplifies the assembly process by decoupling the alignment requirements of the contact parts from the circuit board mounting holes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If soldering pins are precisely aligned to reach into mounting holes simultaneously, then reliable electrical contact is achieved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical contact function is segmented into two separate mechanisms: mechanical insertion of contact parts into the mounting part, and separate soldering of contact elements to circuit board conductors. This segmentation allows each contact element to be soldered independently to its corresponding conductor, eliminating the need for simultaneous alignment of multiple soldering pins with mounting holes, thus reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable electrical contacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If contact elements directly make electrical contact with conductors on the printed circuit board, then the electrical connection is established, but the positioning precision requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidpositioning precision of contact elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting part acts as an intermediary that receives the contact parts and provides a structured interface for electrical connection. The contact elements make electrical contact with conductors on the printed circuit board through this intermediary structure, which compensates for positioning tolerances. This allows the contact elements to be positioned with lower precision while still achieving reliable electrical connections through the mounting part's design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design simplifies and cost-effectively facilitates the assembly of multiple plug connectors on printed circuit boards, ensuring high-quality, repeatable electrical contacts with improved planarity and reduced alignment requirements, suitable for high-frequency applications.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping contact with nickel-coated surfaces for high-frequency applications

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

solderable tin surfaces for reliable connections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Data Source

PatentEP2356722B1Plug connector for circuit boards
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 ROSENBERGER HOCHFREQUENZTECHNIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2356722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2356722B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2356722B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a multiple plug connector for a printed circuit board to be fixed on a printed circuit board, having a mounting part (10) and at least two contact parts (30) which each have a plug part (32) for plug-connection to a complementary plug part of a plug connector, wherein an opening (12) is formed for each contact part (30) in the mounting part (10) and each contact part (30) passes through one of the openings (12) by way of the plug part (32) and is mechanically fixed to the mounting part (10), wherein each contact part (30) has, on a side (34) which faces the printed circuit board, at least one contact element (36, 38) for establishing electrical contact with a conductor of the printed circuit board. According to the invention, the mounting part (10) has at least one first contact apparatus (26) which is arranged and designed in such a way that this first contact apparatus (26) establishes electrical contact to at least one contact element (36) of a contact part (30), wherein the mounting part (10) has at least a second contact apparatus (28) which is electrically connected to at least one first contact device (26) and is designed to establish electrical contact with a conductor on the printed circuit board.