Power Rail Contact Layout for Connector-Free Circuit Cards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges with bulky power connectors that occupy valuable real estate on circuit cards, increasing their size and footprint.
Innovation Solution
A power rail system is introduced, featuring a rail member with a track and power contacts that supply power to circuit cards without the need for bulky connectors, allowing power pads to be positioned at the edges, freeing up space for other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional power connectors are used to supply power to circuit cards, then power delivery is achieved, but the connectors occupy valuable real estate on the circuit card, increasing the overall size and footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power delivery function from the traditional bulky power connector and relocates it to the system backplane through dedicated power rails. This removes the power connector from the circuit card, freeing up valuable real estate while maintaining power delivery capability through the mating interface between the circuit card and system backplane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions power delivery from a planar connector interface on the circuit card to a three-dimensional rail-based interface on the system backplane. The power rails extend vertically and horizontally, providing power contacts that engage with the circuit card's power pads at the mating interface, thereby eliminating the need for power connectors on the circuit card surface.
2Area of stationary object
If power connectors are mounted on circuit cards, then power can be supplied to components, but valuable real estate is occupied, limiting space for other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces power rails as an intermediary structure on the system backplane that mediates power delivery to circuit cards. These rails provide multiple power contacts that engage with the circuit card's power pads, serving as the intermediate power transmission path between the power source and the circuit card components, thereby eliminating the need for power connectors on the circuit card.
3Reliability
If bulky power connectors are used, then reliable power connection is achieved, but the overall size of the communication system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power delivery system into separate power rails with individual power contacts distributed along the rail member. This segmentation allows for reliable power connection through multiple discrete contact points while maintaining a compact overall structure, as each power contact is a small, localized element rather than a single large connector.
Data Source
AI summary
A power rail for powering a power driver assembly includes a rail member extending between a front end and a rear end. The rail member has a track including a channel between an upper support beam and a lower support beam. The track extends between the front end and the rear end. The track configured to receive a driver circuit card of the power driver assembly. The power rail includes a power contact having a base coupled to the rail member. The power contact includes a cable termination terminated to a power cable. The power contact includes a mating beam extending from the base into the channel. The mating beam has a mating interface configured to be mated to a power pad of the driver circuit card when the driver circuit card is plugged into the track of the rail member.