Self-Aligning Coaxial Connector Assembly for PCB Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing a coaxial connector to a printed circuit board (PCB) often involves misalignment issues and requires additional fixtures for proper alignment and bonding, leading to potential signal loss and impedance errors due to excessive capacitance.
Innovation Solution
A self-fixturing, self-aligning coaxial connector assembly with arms and legs that automatically align and secure the PCB with the coaxial connector, eliminating the need for external fixtures by creating a gap that matches the PCB width and applying a spring force for precise alignment and bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional soldering or bonding methods are used to secure the coaxial connector to the PCB, then the connector can be attached to the board, but misalignment between the connector and signal trace occurs, leading to poor connection quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a fixture structure that pre-aligns the coaxial connector with the PCB signal trace before the bonding process. The fixture includes alignment features such as guide pins and positioning blocks that ensure the connector center contact is coplanar with the signal trace prior to soldering, eliminating misalignment issues that would otherwise occur during manual positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary fixture as a mediator between the coaxial connector and the PCB. This fixture acts as a temporary holding structure that maintains precise alignment during the bonding process. The fixture includes support blocks and clamping mechanisms that hold both the connector and PCB in the correct relative positions, ensuring alignment precision is maintained throughout the bonding operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional fixtures are used to maintain alignment during bonding, then alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixture functions into an integrated structure that combines alignment features, support elements, and clamping mechanisms into a single unified fixture assembly. This integrated design reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining alignment precision. The fixture is designed as one piece or pre-assembled unit that performs multiple functions simultaneously, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a fixture that performs multiple functions: it provides alignment, support, clamping, and positioning all in one structure. The fixture can accommodate different connector types and PCB configurations through adjustable features, making it a multi-functional tool that reduces the need for multiple specialized fixtures, thereby simplifying the overall system.
3Productivity
If the coaxial connector is not properly aligned with the signal trace, then the bonding process can be completed quickly, but excessive capacitance and impedance errors occur, causing signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-aligning the coaxial connector with the signal trace using fixture alignment features before the bonding process begins. The fixture includes guide pins, positioning blocks, and alignment marks that ensure the connector center contact is coplanar with the signal trace. This preliminary alignment ensures that when bonding is performed, the correct alignment is already established, preventing excessive capacitance and impedance errors while maintaining efficient bonding process speed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures proper alignment and securement of the coaxial connector with the PCB, reducing signal loss and impedance errors by maintaining coplanarity and parallelism, thus simplifying the bonding process and enhancing the reliability of RF circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
The arms are generally coplanar to the center contact. The legs are offset from the plane of the center contact and generally parallel with the arms. A gap is created between the arms and the legs that is approximately the width of the PCB. The PCB is placed in the gap between the arms and legs which automatically aligns the PCB properly with the center contact. The arms and legs are also self-fixturing so that the PCB will be held in place while a bonding agent is applied to bond the center contact with the PCB.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-fixturing, self-aligning coaxial connector assembly is provided. The coaxial connector assembly comprises a coaxial connector, a coaxial housing and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is aligned properly with the electrical end of the coaxial connector when mounted on the coaxial housing and is held in place while the printed circuit board is coupled to the coaxial housing.