Ruggedized Multi-Contact Interface System for Harsh Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interface systems for connecting motherboards and peripheral device boards in harsh military and aerospace environments are unreliable due to instability under stress, shock, and temperature variations, failing to provide consistent high-speed data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed interface system with a multi-contact socket and stabilizing mechanisms, such as backplane and peripheral interfaces with guide ports and brackets, ensures reliable performance by asserting multiple contact forces and minimizing relative movement between pins and sockets, even under extreme conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional interface systems are used to connect mother boards and peripheral device boards, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electrical couplings become unstable under stress, shock, and temperature variances in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The interface system is divided into separate stabilizing mechanisms including brackets, guide ports, and multiple contact elements that work independently to provide mechanical support and electrical stability. The bracket structure is segmented into mounting portions and support portions that can be independently positioned and adjusted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pre-compression springs and elastomeric elements that apply continuous contact force to the electrical contacts before any stress or shock occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the electrical couplings remain stable under subsequent environmental stress, shock, and temperature variations without requiring complex active control systems.
2Reliability
If multiple contact forces are asserted to stabilize the interface system under harsh conditions, then the reliability improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes elastic deformation parameters of the bracket and contact elements to accommodate manufacturing tolerances. The elastomeric elements are designed with specific durometer values and geometric configurations that allow them to deform within predictable ranges, compensating for variations in manufacturing precision while maintaining reliable electrical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact elements are designed with asymmetric geometries where the force distribution is intentionally non-uniform. This asymmetry allows the system to compensate for typical manufacturing variations by concentrating contact forces at critical locations while distributing lighter forces at less critical positions, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring uniform high-precision manufacturing across all contact points.
3Reliability
If stabilizing mechanisms such as brackets and guide ports are added to minimize relative movement, then the electrical connection stability improves, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket structure is designed to simultaneously perform multiple functions: mechanical support, alignment guidance, and electrical contact stabilization. The guide ports are integrated into the bracket structure rather than being separate components, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying assembly while maintaining the stability benefits of having both features.
Data Source
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AI summary
An interface system (110) may be used for connecting a mother board (102) with a peripheral device board (104). The interface system may include a mother interface and a daughter interface. The mother interface may establish a connection portal for the mother board, and the daughter interface may establish a connection portal for the peripheral device board. The interface system may be equipped with a socket with multi-contact surface for providing high speed, high performance, and low noise data transmission. The interface system may be ruggedized with various stabilizing mechanisms, such that it may deliver consistent and reliable performance under harsh military and/or aerospace conditions.