Perpendicular Circuit Card Assembly with Parallel Mating Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication systems face challenges with airflow obstruction and high manufacturing costs due to the use of right-angle electrical connectors, which hinder cooling and increase system dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a communication system with circuit card assemblies where the first and second PCBs are oriented perpendicular to each other, with slots allowing the electrical connectors to be mated in a direction parallel to the board mating axis, reducing dimensions and enabling airflow while using elongated connectors that align mating ends for efficient electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If right angle electrical connectors are used to mate circuit cards, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and system space increases blocking airflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using conventional right angle connectors where the connector body is perpendicular to the PCB, this patent inverts the orientation by using connectors where the mating end extends parallel to the PCB surface. This inversion allows the connectors to be more compact, easier to manufacture, and enables airflow through the system while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity between circuit cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If right angle electrical connectors are used to mate circuit cards, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but system dimensions increase blocking airflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidconnector volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connector design inverts the conventional right angle configuration by extending the mating end parallel to the PCB surface rather than perpendicular to it. This reduces the vertical height requirement and overall connector volume, enabling airflow through the system while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector transitions from a three-dimensional right angle configuration to a more planar arrangement where the mating end extends in the same dimension as the PCB surface. This dimensional reorganization reduces the vertical space requirement and allows airflow to pass through previously blocked regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If circuit cards are arranged perpendicular to each other with right angle connectors, then electrical connection is achieved, but airflow through the system is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidairflow obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the connector orientation from perpendicular to parallel relative to the PCB surface, the connector no longer protrudes into the airflow path. The mating end extends in the same dimension as the PCB, allowing air to flow freely through the system while electrical connection is maintained through the inverted connector geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If conventional right angle connectors are used, then mating interfaces are parallel to mating edges, but manufacturing cost and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating alignmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connector inverts the conventional design by extending the mating end parallel to the PCB surface rather than perpendicular to it. This simplifies manufacturing by eliminating complex right angle constructions while maintaining clear mating alignment through the extended parallel configuration. The slot and protrusion geometry provides inherent alignment guidance during the mating process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10355383B2Circuit card assemblies for a communication system

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH

AI summary

A communication system includes a first circuit card assembly having a first PCB including a first slot and a first electrical connector mounted to the first PCB along the first slot and having a first mating end. The communication system includes a second circuit card assembly having a second PCB and a second electrical connector mounted to the second PCB and having a second mating end. The first and second circuit card assemblies are mated along a board mating axis parallel to the first slot with the first PCB oriented perpendicular to the second PCB. The first and second mating ends are oriented parallel to the board mating axis. The second PCB is received in the first slot to align the second mating end with the first mating end.