Perpendicular Circuit Card Connector with Cam Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems face challenges in reliably mating electrical connectors between circuit cards due to right-angle connectors being expensive and obstructive, which limits airflow and increases the risk of overheating.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a communication system with cam levers and driving elements in electrical connectors to facilitate a perpendicular mating direction, allowing for reliable alignment and connection of circuit cards while reducing connector dimensions and enhancing airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If right angle electrical connectors are used on both circuit cards, then reliable mating connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and space occupation increases blocking airflow
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using right angle connectors on both cards (conventional approach), the invention inverts the connector types: one card uses a right angle connector while the other uses a straight connector. This inversion allows the mating interfaces to be perpendicular to the board mating direction, enabling reliable connection while using less expensive straight connectors on one side and reducing overall space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation dimension of the mating interfaces. By orienting the mating interfaces perpendicular to the board mating direction, the connectors can mate in a direction perpendicular to the circuit card mating direction. This dimensional change allows for more efficient space utilization and improved airflow while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If right angle electrical connectors are used on both circuit cards, then mating connection is achieved, but space occupation increases blocking airflow through the system
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the connector configuration so that one card has a right angle connector and the other has a straight connector, the overall space required for connectors is reduced. This allows more space for airflow channels, reducing the harmful effect of airflow blockage and preventing overheating while maintaining reliable mating connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the connector functions between two different connector types on the mating cards. One connector handles the right angle connection while the other provides the straight interface, allowing for optimized space distribution and improved airflow paths around and between the connectors.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mating interfaces of electrical connectors are oriented perpendicular to board mating direction, then space and airflow are improved, but difficulty in mating the contacts of the electrical connectors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the mating difficulty by inverting the connector types on the two cards. One card uses a right angle connector and the other uses a straight connector, which together facilitate easier alignment and mating of contacts when the mating interfaces are perpendicular to the board mating direction, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining the airflow benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes first and second circuit card assemblies each having a PCB and an electrical connector having a mating end and contacts. The first electrical connector has a receptacle housing and a mating housing received in the receptacle housing with cam levers therebetween. The second electrical connector has a header housing and driving elements interfacing with the cam levers to actuate the mating housing relative to the receptacle housing. The PCB includes a slot receiving the other PCB in a board loading direction and the header housing is coupled to the receptacle housing in the board loading direction to interface the driving elements with the cam levers. The mating housing is movable away from the second mating end to a preloaded position by the driving elements and is movable toward the second mating end to a mated position by the driving elements.