PCB Translation Assembly for Co-Planar Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting printed circuit boards (PCBs) in tight spatial and geometric constraints, such as limited connector orientation and movement direction, poses challenges due to the need for precise alignment and controlled force application without damaging sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
A translation assembly comprising a fixed support plate with longitudinal and transverse guide slots, coupling arms, and drive arms that leverage external forces to move PCBs within their plane, allowing precise alignment and connection of edge electrical connectors, with a crank mechanism to apply controlled forces and minimize strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional direct connection methods are used to connect PCBs, then the connection process is simple, but precise alignment and controlled force application are difficult to achieve in tight spatial constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling arm as an intermediary mechanism between the PCB and the connection system. The coupling arm translates and rotates the PCB to achieve precise alignment with the electrical connector, while the leveraging arm provides controlled force application. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling high precision alignment without requiring the entire connection system to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic mechanisms including a leveraging arm that can pivot and a coupling arm that can both translate and rotate. These dynamic components allow the system to adapt to tight spatial constraints while maintaining controlled force application and precise alignment during the connection process, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
2Reliability
If controlled force is applied to connect connectors without damage, then component reliability is improved, but the connection process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary alignment through the coupling arm's translation and rotation capabilities before the actual connection occurs. The leveraging arm is positioned and prepared in advance to apply controlled force only when alignment is achieved. This preliminary action ensures reliability through controlled force application while minimizing connection time by avoiding repeated adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the coupling arm's movement is controlled based on alignment detection, and the leveraging arm applies force only when proper alignment is confirmed. This feedback control ensures connector reliability through controlled force application while optimizing connection time by automatically determining when connection conditions are met.
3Adaptability or versatility
If PCBs are moved within a major plane to connect edge connectors, then spatial constraints are reduced, but the translation mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic coupling arm that can both translate and rotate within the major plane, coupled with a leveraging arm that pivots to enable movement. This dynamic configuration allows the PCB to be moved to various positions and orientations within the plane, providing spatial adaptability while keeping the translation mechanism relatively simple compared to rigid multi-axis systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the coupling arm for translation and rotation, and the leveraging arm for pivoting and force application. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function within the major plane, providing spatial adaptability while maintaining simplicity by avoiding a monolithic complex mechanism.
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
Enables efficient and precise electrical connection of PCBs in constrained environments with reduced risk of damage, allowing for low operator effort and high connection force application, while maintaining controlled orientation and velocity of connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a first leveraging arm substantially parallel to the major plane and coupled to the first coupling arm and to the fixed translation assembly support, for leveraging an external applied force to move the first coupling arm
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, co-planar printed circuit boards (PCBs) are electrically connected by leveraging an applied external force to generate a higher in-plane PCB connection force. A crank-and-slider in-plane PCB translation assembly includes a pair of coupling arms parallel to a PCB plane and connected to the PCB, and a leveraging arm parallel to the PCB plane and coupled to the couplings arm and to a fixed support. A guide pin is connected to the PCB and to a first end of each coupling arm, and fits through a longitudinal guide slot defined in the fixed support. A drive pin is connected to an opposite end of each coupling arm and fits through a transverse drive slot defined in the fixed support. The leveraging arm moves the drive-pin end of the coupling arm transversely, e.g. linearly or along an arcuate trajectory, thus pushing the guide-pin end to move the PCB longitudinally.