Spring-Loaded Connector Mount for Tolerance-Compensated Board Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges with electrical connector alignment, leading to potential damage and signal integrity issues due to large dimensional tolerances between circuit boards, which are exacerbated by long electrical stubs that degrade signal performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a compressible mating interface with a spring-loaded connector that allows the electrical connector to float relative to the circuit board, accommodating mating tolerances and reducing the need for long electrical stubs by enabling proper alignment and maintaining mechanical and electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contacts are extended to accommodate large dimensional tolerances (1.5 mm or more), then the mechanical mating reliability is improved, but the signal integrity performance deteriorates due to long electrical stubs acting as reflective elements
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with a floating mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the contact position during mating. The connector housing can move relative to the circuit board within a confined envelope, enabling the contacts to automatically align with mating connectors despite dimensional tolerances. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for extended contacts while maintaining mechanical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the contacts through the floating mechanism. Instead of fixing the contact length to accommodate maximum tolerance, the system allows the contact position to vary within a range, optimizing the electrical stub length for signal integrity while still achieving reliable mechanical mating through the movement capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contacts are made longer to ensure mating across tolerance ranges, then the adaptability to different circuit board positions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to longer stub portions
Solution Approach 1:
The floating connector mechanism provides adaptability through movement rather than through increased physical length. The connector can shift position within a confined envelope defined by the connector mount, allowing it to accommodate circuit board position variations without requiring longer contacts or more complex internal structures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the electrical connector is fixed rigidly to the circuit board, then the structural stability is improved, but the alignment capability during mating deteriorates due to inability to accommodate tolerance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is coupled to the circuit board through a connector mount that provides both stability and controlled movement. The biasing member maintains contact pressure for stable electrical connection while allowing the connector to float and align during mating. The confined envelope limits excessive movement while permitting necessary alignment adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector mount acts as an intermediary between the rigid circuit board and the floating connector. It provides a compliant mounting interface that translates the rigid support of the board into a flexible connector positioning system, enabling both structural stability and alignment capability.
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
This solution improves signal integrity by shortening the electrical stubs, reducing the risk of connector damage, and enhancing alignment, particularly in high-speed communication systems, by effectively managing dimensional tolerances and maintaining reliable connections.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is compressible along a compression axis parallel to the mating direction to allow the electrical connector to float in the mating direction relative to the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit board assembly includes an electrical connector mounted to a circuit board having a connector housing holding contacts in a contact array. A connector mount having a bracket is coupled to the mounting surface of the circuit board proximate to the mating edge. The electrical connector is movably coupled to the connector mount to move relative to the circuit board during mating with the mating electrical connector. The connector mount has a biasing member compressible along a compression axis parallel to the mating direction to allow the electrical connector to float in the mating direction relative to the circuit board. The electrical connector is movably coupled to the connector mount in a confined envelope in at least one floating direction perpendicular to the mating direction.