Press-fit Circuit Board Connector With Interposer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit board connectors require time-consuming and expensive soldering processes for termination and often have mismatched contact patterns, making them inefficient for applications requiring quick and reliable electrical connections, especially in harsh environments.

Innovation Solution

A press-fit circuit board connector with a housing having a mating end and a mounting end, featuring a mating contact assembly with press-fit mounting pins and an interposer circuit board that allows for electrical connection via press-fit termination to the host circuit board, accommodating different contact patterns and orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soldering process is used to terminate electrical connectors to circuit board, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the connection parameter from soldered joints to press-fit mechanical connections. The mounting contacts are designed with press-fit features that mechanically engage with the circuit board, eliminating the need for thermal soldering processes while maintaining reliable electrical connection through direct metal-to-metal contact and mechanical interlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal/chemical soldering system with a mechanical press-fit system. The mounting contacts incorporate press-fit features that use mechanical force and interference fitting to achieve secure attachment to the circuit board, substituting the soldering process entirely with a purely mechanical connection method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If soldering process is used to terminate electrical connectors to circuit board, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the connection parameter from soldered joints to press-fit mechanical connections. The mounting contacts are designed with press-fit features that mechanically engage with the circuit board, eliminating the need for soldering materials, soldering equipment, and associated labor costs, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal/chemical soldering system with a mechanical press-fit system. This substitution eliminates the need for soldering flux, solder wire, reflow ovens, and associated quality control processes, significantly reducing material and equipment costs while simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If interposer is used to transition contact patterns, then contact pattern mismatch is resolved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact pattern adaptabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the interposer circuit board with the mounting contact assembly into a single integrated unit. The mounting contacts are directly attached to the interposer circuit board, combining the signal routing function and the mechanical mounting function into one component, thereby reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the overall connector structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The interposer circuit board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides contact pattern transition, acts as a mounting substrate for the mounting contacts, and provides mechanical support for the entire assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3392984B1Press-fit circuit board connector

Publication Date: 2021.02.24 TE CONNECTIVITY CORP

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AI summary

A press-fit circuit board connector (100) including a housing (104) and mating and mounting contact assemblies (107, 109) received in the housing (104). The mating contact assembly (107) having mating contacts (112) having mating pins (145) defining a pin mating interface (120). The mounting contact assembly (109) having an interposer circuit board (116) and mounting contacts (118) electrically connected to the interposer circuit board (116). The mounting contacts (118) have press-fit mounting pins (186) at mounting ends (108) of the mounting contacts (118). The interposer circuit board (116) is received in a cavity (115) of the housing (104) with the press-fit mounting pins (186) of the mounting contacts (118) arranged at a mounting end (108) of the connector (100) for press-fit termination to a host circuit board (102).