Stacked Electrical Connector System for Circuit Board Space Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of digital devices has led to a need for connectors that conserve space on circuit boards, as existing connectors occupy valuable component area and require multiple types to interconnect with different external devices, posing a challenge in efficient integration and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring an upper electrical connector with a housing and contacts that can be mounted over lower connectors, allowing for stacking and alignment features to conserve space, with optional compliance with standards like HDMI, USB, and IEEE, and shielding to reduce electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connectors are mounted on the circuit board to interconnect with different external devices, then the adaptability and versatility of the system is improved, but the component area occupied on the circuit board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a stacked connector configuration where an upper electrical connector is positioned directly above a lower electrical connector, both mounted to the same circuit board location. The upper connector housing defines a cavity that receives the lower connector, creating a nested arrangement. This nesting principle allows multiple connectors to occupy the same footprint on the circuit board, dramatically reducing the component area required while maintaining the ability to support multiple connector types for different external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional planar arrangement of connectors on the circuit board to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension (Z-axis) rather than only the horizontal plane (X-Y axis), the system can accommodate multiple connectors of different types (HDMI, USB, IEEE 1394, eSATA) in a single footprint location. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by preserving connector versatility while minimizing the area consumed on the circuit board.
2Ease of operation
If connectors are mounted at the edge of circuit boards to facilitate access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the component area available for other devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stacked connector design nests the upper connector within the vertical space above the lower connector, allowing both to be accessed from the same edge location. The upper connector housing defines a cavity that receives the lower connector, creating a compact nested structure that maintains edge accessibility while conserving board space.
Solution Approach 2:
By stacking connectors vertically rather than arranging them horizontally along the board edge, the patent maintains easy access from the board edge while reducing the linear space required. The vertical stacking allows cable access from the same edge location for both upper and lower connectors, preserving ease of operation while minimizing the component area consumed.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector system includes an upper electrical connector having a housing that defines an open bottomed cavity defining a cavity envelope and that defines a mating interface for a mating connector. The upper electrical connector further has contacts mounted to the housing and extending along the mating interface. The connector system includes a first lower electrical connector mountable to a circuit board that has a first outer envelope adapted for fitting in the cavity envelope, and a second lower electrical connector mountable to a circuit board that has a second outer envelope adapted for fitting in the cavity envelope. The upper electrical connector is separately mountable to the circuit board over each of the first lower electrical connector and the second lower electrical connector. Optionally, the upper electrical connector may be mountable over only one of the first lower electrical connector and the second lower electrical connector at a time.