Right-Angle Connector Reducing PCB Overhang Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional right-angle electrical connectors occupy excessive space due to their height, limiting the physical arrangement of circuit boards in devices with limited physical space, such as backplane applications within a fixed chassis.
Innovation Solution
A modified right-angle electrical connector design where the connector housing overhangs the edge of the printed circuit board but terminates above the lower surface, reducing the overall height by removing select electrical contacts that extend below the lower surface, allowing the connector to be mounted with a reduced depth and increasing available space for additional circuit boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional right-angle electrical connector is used, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the connector height increases the distance between circuit boards and reduces available volume in the chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes select electrical contacts from the connector assembly that would otherwise extend below the lower surface of the circuit board. This extraction of non-essential elements (contacts not needed for the specific application) reduces the overall connector height and eliminates the portion extending below the board, thereby increasing the available volume for additional circuit boards in the chassis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the height dimension by modifying the connector structure to terminate above the lower surface of the circuit board rather than extending through it. This dimensional modification in the vertical direction (height/depth) allows for reduced connector profile while maintaining electrical connectivity in the horizontal plane, thus increasing available volume for other components.
2Area of stationary object
If the connector housing extends below the lower surface of the circuit board, then complete electrical contact is achieved, but the physical space for additional circuit boards is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between areas of the connector housing. The rear portion of the housing extends below the upper mounting surface to provide structural support and mounting interface, while the front portion terminates above the lower surface. This localized modification allows the connector to maintain necessary mounting characteristics while reducing overall depth to increase available space.
3Volume of moving object
If select electrical contacts are removed to reduce height, then available volume increases, but electrical connectivity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by removing only select electrical contacts that are not required for the specific application rather than removing all contacts. This selective removal reduces connector height and increases available volume while maintaining electrical connectivity for the necessary contacts, achieving the desired volume increase without compromising required electrical functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A right-angle electrical connector is configured to be mounted onto an upper mounting surface of a substrate that defines a bottom surface opposed from the upper mounting surface so as to define a thickness. The connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of electrical contacts retained by the connector housing. The connector housing overhangs an edge of the substrate and extends down with respect to the upper surface to a depth from the upper mounting surface that is less than the thickness of the substrate.