Stackable PCB with Mirrored Pin Connectors for Flexible Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stackable printed circuit board systems face limitations in connectivity due to limited pin utilization, restricted compatibility, and reliability issues with cables, making it difficult to connect and stack boards efficiently and securely.
Innovation Solution
The use of a stackable printed circuit board with a connector set configuration featuring a mirrored pin configuration in an equilateral geometric shape on multiple faces, allowing for axial rotation and 180-degree rotation about the X or Y axis, enabling flexible and secure connection of boards regardless of orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard cable interfaces are used to connect multiple boards, then board connectivity is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to cable breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connector functions into a single integrated connector assembly that provides both mechanical attachment and electrical connectivity. This eliminates the need for separate cables and multiple connectors, thereby improving reliability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with universal functionality to handle both mechanical mounting and electrical signaling through an integrated structure. This multi-functional design allows a single connector to replace what would otherwise require separate components, improving reliability without adding complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If special purpose pins are assigned to communication interfaces, then specific communication functions are enabled, but adaptability deteriorates when peripheral boards need different pin configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a universal pinout configuration where pins can serve multiple functions depending on the connected board. This allows the same physical connector to support different communication protocols and peripheral functions without requiring dedicated pins for each function, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining simple connector hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic assignment of pin functions based on the detected peripheral board type. Rather than having fixed special-purpose pins, the pin functionality can be reconfigured through software or detection mechanisms, enabling adaptability without increasing physical connector complexity.
3Ease of operation
If each board is individually secured to an enclosure, then mounting stability is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting function with the connector function in an integrated manner. The connector assembly itself provides the mechanical attachment to the enclosure, eliminating the need for separate mounting operations for each board. This merging of functions improves assembly ease while actually reducing overall mounting structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is pre-configured with mounting features that enable immediate attachment to the enclosure during the connection process itself. This preliminary integration of mounting capability means that boards are secured as part of the connection action, rather than requiring separate mounting steps, thereby improving ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If limited pin utilization is used in connectors, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when stacking multiple different peripheral boards
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design employs universal pins that can be dynamically assigned to different functions based on the connected peripheral board. Rather than having dedicated pins for each function, the same pins can serve multiple purposes through software configuration or detection, enabling high adaptability for stacking different boards without requiring a high pin count.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the functional parameters of the connector pins based on the detected peripheral board type. This dynamic parameter reconfiguration allows the same physical connector with limited pins to adapt to different board configurations, achieving high versatility without increasing the physical pin count or connector complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A first stackable printed circuit board with at least a two sets of set of male and female connectors each arranged inline with each other, and each configured in a mirrored pin configuration is arranged along opposing sides of an equilateral geometric shape on both the top and bottom face of the first board in order to attach, by the connectors, to a second stackable printed circuit board with the same male and female connector configuration and arrangement as the first board on at least one face regardless of the axial rotation of first stackable printed circuit board about the X or Y axis by 180 degrees and/or by axial rotation about the Z axis by n/360 degrees where n is the amount of sides of the geometric shape which contain a connector set, thereby allowing for up to n*2 different connection configurations between the first and second printed circuit boards.