Straddle Mount Connector Locating Boss Crush Rib
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Solution Overview
Problem
The floating of straddle mount connectors during plugging into receptacle connectors in transceiver assemblies can lead to insufficient contact wipe, resulting in unreliable electrical connections between pluggable modules and receptacle connectors, especially at high data transmission rates.
Innovation Solution
The use of a dielectric connector body with a locating boss and crush rib configuration that secures the straddle mount connector to the pluggable module's housing, preventing movement and ensuring a stable electrical connection by deforming the crush rib to create an interference fit within the locating opening, thus maintaining contact alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the straddle mount connector is mounted to the circuit board edge without additional positioning features, then the device complexity is reduced, but the connector floats along the insertion axis causing insufficient contact wipe and unreliable electrical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The locating boss with crush rib is nested within the connector housing, which itself is mounted to the circuit board. The crush rib is received within a corresponding opening in the housing, creating a nested structure that provides positioning without requiring separate external fixtures. This resolves the contradiction by integrating the positioning function into the existing connector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The crush rib is pre-formed with a deformable geometry that allows it to be inserted into the housing opening and then deformed to lock in place. This preliminary configuration enables the positioning feature to be built into the connector during manufacturing, ensuring reliable positioning without adding complex assembly steps or separate components.
2Strength
If the crush rib is made more rigid to maintain structural strength, then the strength of the locating boss is improved, but the crush rib cannot deform to create the interference fit, preventing reliable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The crush rib is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional geometry, being thicker at the base for strength and thinner at the distal end for deformability. This local variation in quality allows the same component to provide both structural strength where needed and adaptability where deformation is required, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating boss and crush rib are formed from a composite structure combining rigid and flexible material regions. The base portion uses a rigid material for strength, while the crush rib portion uses a more deformable material or geometry that allows interference fit creation. This composite approach enables both strength and deformability in a single integrated component.
3Ease of manufacture
If the locating opening is made larger to ease manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the interference fit cannot be achieved, reducing positioning precision
Solution Approach 1:
The crush rib transitions from a rigid state during insertion to a deformed state during locking. The opening is sized to allow free insertion, then the crush rib deforms dynamically to create the interference fit that provides precise positioning. This dynamic approach allows the opening to be larger for ease of manufacture while still achieving precise positioning through the deformation process.
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 ensures a reliable and consistent electrical connection, preventing floating issues and ensuring sufficient contact wipe, even at high data transmission rates, thereby enhancing the stability and performance of the transceiver assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The crush rib is deformed and engaged with the wall of the housing
Implementation Method 2
The crush rib is deformable such that the crush rib is configured to deform when engaged with the housing of the pluggable module
Data Source
AI summary
A pluggable module includes a housing having a locating opening that is at least partially defined by a wall of the housing. A circuit board is at least partially disposed within the housing and includes an edge and a mating contact. An electrical connector is mounted to the circuit board and includes an electrical contact having a mounting segment that is configured to be electrically connected to the mating contact of the circuit board. The electrical connector includes a dielectric connector body that holds the electrical contact. The body has a base that is coupled to the edge of the circuit board and a locating boss that extends outwardly on the base. The locating boss is received within the locating opening of the housing and includes a crush rib that extends outwardly from the locating boss. The crush rib is deformed and engaged with the wall of the housing.