Socket Assembly Reducing Stack Spacing via Board Gripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies require larger stack spacings to accommodate power transmission between stacked circuit boards, limiting available space in electrical systems.
Innovation Solution
A socket assembly with a socket housing, coupling, and flange portions, along with a conductive path, that allows for a shorter stack spacing by gripping the circuit board with mating surfaces and securing a fastener, enabling electrical connection and power transmission between adjacent circuit boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional connector assemblies are used to deliver electrical power between stacked circuit boards, then power transmission is achieved, but stack spacing height increases to greater than 0.5 inches or 1.0 inch
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into separate components: a socket assembly with coupling and flange portions, and a separate power contact that passes through the circuit board. This segmentation allows the power transmission function to be achieved while reducing the overall stack spacing height requirement to less than 0.5 inches.
Solution Approach 2:
The power contact extends through the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the board surface, utilizing the vertical dimension to establish electrical connection. This dimensional approach allows power transmission without requiring large horizontal spacing between boards.
2Power
If larger stack spacings are used to accommodate traditional connector assemblies, then power transmission capability is maintained, but available space in the electrical system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket assembly is mechanically coupled to the circuit board through the fastener, merging the connector function with the board mounting structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate connector housings and reduces overall space requirements while maintaining power transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power contact is nested through the circuit board, with the contact passing through the board and being received by the socket assembly. This nested configuration allows the power transmission pathway to be embedded within the existing board structure, minimizing additional space requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the coupling portion is designed to pass through the thru-hole, then assembly is simplified, but the flange portion must be larger to prevent passage
Solution Approach 1:
The socket assembly features asymmetric geometry with a coupling portion having a first peripheral contour that fits through the circular thru-hole, and a flange portion with a larger second peripheral contour that prevents further passage. This asymmetric design simplifies assembly while controlling the flange size through the specific relationship between the two contours.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical socket assembly including a socket housing having coupling and flange portions and a contact cavity that extends through the coupling and flange portions along a central axis. The coupling and flange portions have different peripheral contours that extend about the central axis. The peripheral contour of the flange portion being sized and shaped to prevent the flange portion from advancing through a thru-hole of a circuit board. The socket assembly also includes a fastener that is configured to be secured to the coupling portion. The fastener and the flange portion have respective mating surfaces that face each other in opposite directions along the central axis. The respective mating surfaces are configured to grip the circuit board therebetween such that the socket housing has a fixed position relative to the circuit board. A conductive path exists between the power contact and the circuit board.