Spoon Shaped EMI Fingers for Compact Connector Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated connectors on circuit boards face difficulties during assembly, installation, and replacement due to interference and damage from closely spaced fingers, leading to increased device size as a costly solution to prevent damage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of three-dimensionally formed side fingers that can slide off each other when interfering, allowing for closer installation without damage, and grounding through vertical plane members to extend the Faraday Cage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional integrated connectors are spaced closely together, then device size is reduced, but the fingers interfere with each other and cause damage during assembly and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The side fingers are formed with three-dimensional curved portions (top curved portion and bottom curved portion) that extend in multiple dimensions. These curved portions allow the fingers to slide past each other in a dimensional path rather than interfering linearly, enabling closer spacing while maintaining reliability during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The side fingers incorporate spring portions that provide dynamic movement and flexibility. This allows the fingers to adapt their position during assembly and operation, sliding off each other when they interfere rather than causing damage, thus maintaining reliability in closely spaced configurations
2Reliability
If more space is provided between integrated connectors, then finger damage during assembly is prevented, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By designing side fingers with three-dimensional curved portions that extend in multiple dimensions, the patent enables fingers to navigate around each other during assembly. This dimensional approach allows closer spacing than conventional linear designs while maintaining finger integrity, reducing the space required between connectors
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional side fingers are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but interference during installation causes damage and requires larger device size
Solution Approach 1:
The side fingers incorporate spring portions that provide dynamic movement and flexibility. This allows the fingers to adapt their position during assembly and operation, sliding off each other when they interfere rather than causing damage. The spring mechanism can be integrated into the molding process, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving assembly reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The side fingers feature curved portions (top curved portion and bottom curved portion) instead of straight edges. These curved geometries allow the fingers to roll or slide past each other during insertion, preventing interference and damage. The curved shapes can be formed through standard molding techniques, preserving manufacturing simplicity
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
Enables closer integration of connectors without damage during construction, maintaining the integrity of the Faraday Cage and reducing device size while ensuring reliable electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
at least one side finger comprising a main portion, a connector portion connected to the side portion, a tail portion, a top curved portion, and a bottom curved portion
Implementation Method 2
The top fingers, the plurality of receptacle tabs, and the at least one side finger may be in electrical connection
Implementation Method 3
grounding through vertical plane members to extend the Faraday Cage
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated connector may be provided. The integrated connector may comprise a top portion, a front portion, and a side portion. The top portion may comprise a plurality of top fingers. The front portion may comprise a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of receptacle tabs respectively corresponding to the plurality of receptacles. The side portion may comprise at least one side finger comprising a main portion, a connector portion connected to the side portion, a tail portion, a top curved portion, and a bottom curved portion. The top fingers, the plurality of receptacle tabs, and the at least one side finger may be in electrical connection.