PCB Power Connectors for Bussed and Non-Bussed Current Capacity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for printed circuit boards lack flexibility in current carrying capacity and voltage handling based on the type of bussed or non-bussed power pads, leading to inconsistent performance when mounted on different types of circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
Design of electrical connectors with bussed and non-bussed power contacts that can be adapted to either bussed or non-bussed printed circuit boards, allowing for different current and voltage capacities by connecting to common or isolated power terminals, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electrical connectors are designed with fixed current carrying capacity, then manufacturing and design are simplified, but adaptability to different circuit board configurations (bussed or non-bussed power pads) is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates power contacts that can be dynamically configured through different mounting arrangements. The same physical connector can be mounted to provide either bussed or non-bussed power terminal configurations, allowing the electrical connectivity pattern to change based on the application requirements without changing the physical connector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector is designed to serve multiple functions by supporting both bussed and non-bussed power terminal configurations using the same physical component. This multi-functionality allows a single connector design to adapt to different circuit board power distribution architectures, eliminating the need for separate connector variants.
2Power
If electrical connectors are designed for high current carrying capacity, then power transmission capability is improved, but compatibility with low current applications and non-bussed boards is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector's effective current carrying capacity becomes dynamic based on the mounting configuration. When mounted on a bussed power pad board, the connector achieves high current carrying capacity through the bussed configuration. When mounted on a non-bussed board, the same connector operates at lower current capacity through isolated power terminals, allowing adaptation to different power requirements without changing the connector itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmission capability is localized through the mounting configuration rather than being fixed in the connector design. The bussed or non-bussed arrangement of power terminals on the circuit board creates different local electrical pathways, allowing the same connector to provide different current carrying capacities appropriate to each application context.
3Power
If electrical connectors use isolated power terminals, then voltage handling for non-bussed boards is improved, but current carrying capacity for bussed boards is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design achieves universality by being compatible with both isolated power terminal configurations (for voltage handling in non-bussed boards) and bussed power terminal configurations (for high current applications). The same physical connector adapts its electrical performance characteristics based on how it is mounted and connected to the circuit board.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single connector design is used for both bussed and non-bussed boards, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but performance optimization for specific board types is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector achieves performance optimization through dynamic configuration rather than through fixed design variations. By allowing the electrical connectivity pattern to change based on mounting configuration, the single connector design can optimize performance for each specific application (bussed or non-bussed) while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical connector can be mounted to a first printed circuit board to obtain a first current capacity, and the electrical connector can be mounted to a second printed circuit board to obtain a second current capacity that is lower than the first current capacity.