Stacked PCB Connectors Reducing Board Occupancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies for connecting memory modules to PCBs occupy a large area and increase the size of the connector, especially in high-density applications, due to the arrangement of soldering legs on the same surface.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector assembly features an upper connector mounted on one surface of the PCB with staggered soldering legs and a lower connector stacked underneath with vertically oriented soldering legs, allowing for a more compact design by sharing soldering holes and reducing the overall size and height on the PCB.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both upper and lower connector soldering legs are arranged on the same PCB surface, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the connector size and PCB occupancy area increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement where all soldering legs are on the same PCB surface to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. The lower connector's soldering legs are positioned on the opposite side of the PCB, utilizing the vertical dimension through the board thickness. This allows both upper and lower connector contacts to be electrically connected without competing for the same planar space, thereby reducing PCB occupancy area while maintaining full electrical connectivity.
2Reliability
If mass contacts are used in high-density connector, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the connector size and PCB area requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the lower connector is positioned within the vertical space occupied by the upper connector. The lower connector's insulating housing and contacts are nested beneath the upper connector's components, with both connectors sharing the same horizontal footprint on the PCB. This nesting approach allows high-density mass contacts to be implemented without proportionally increasing connector size, as the contacts are arranged in stacked layers rather than spreading out in a single plane.
Data Source
AI summary
For reasonably using the space of a printed circuit board (PCB) an electrical connector assembly which is mounted on the PCB is provided and includes an upper an upper connector and a lower connector stacked together. The upper connector includes a plurality of first contacts each having a first horizontal soldering leg are soldered on a top surface of the PCB. The lower connector includes a plurality of second contacts each having a second vertical soldering leg soldered on a bottom surface of the PCB. The bottom surface of the PCB has a plurality of soldering holes which are not running through the top surface thereof for retaining said second vertical soldering legs therein so as to provide an available soldering area for said first horizontal soldering legs on the top surface thereof.