Surface-Mount High-Speed Connector Layout for Dense PCB Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors with press-fit terminal tails face manufacturing defects and signal integrity issues due to bending and scratching of PCBs, and require large holes that complicate high-density, high-speed connector mounting and trace routing.
Innovation Solution
The development of a high-speed electrical connector with surface-mountable terminal tails that are offset to facilitate belly-to-belly mounting on both sides of a PCB, using a housing with insulative members and ground members to reduce deformation and interference, and a printed circuit board with smaller, offset solder pads to accommodate these connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If press-fit terminal tails are used to mount connectors on PCBs, then connectors can be easily mounted, but the terminal tails bend and scratch the PCB causing manufacturing defects and signal integrity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal tail is divided into multiple segments including a body portion, a bent portion, and a solder pad portion. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function: the body portion receives the connector, the bent portion provides mechanical support without scratching the PCB, and the solder pad portion ensures reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the terminal tail extend straight through the PCB hole, the terminal tail is inverted to bend at an angle before reaching the solder pad. This inversion changes the path of the terminal tail so that it does not scratch the PCB surface during insertion while still achieving secure mechanical and electrical connection.
2Ease of manufacture
If large holes are drilled in PCBs for press-fit terminal tails, then connectors can be mounted, but the holes complicate high-density connector mounting and trace routing
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal tail design is changed from requiring large diameter holes to accommodate press-fit insertion to a smaller hole design where the terminal tail bends at an angle. This parameter change in the terminal tail geometry allows for smaller PCB holes, enabling higher connector density and better trace routing while maintaining ease of mounting.
3Productivity
If terminal tails are positioned close to each other for high-density mounting, then connector density increases, but interference between adjacent terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal tail features an asymmetric bent portion that angles away from adjacent terminals. This asymmetric configuration creates natural spacing between adjacent terminals, reducing electromagnetic interference while maintaining high connector density. The bent portion acts as a shield and physical barrier between adjacent signal paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A stacked I/O connector with surface mountable tails and a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to receive the connector. The connector may avoid terminal deformations or scratches when the connector is mounted to the PCB. The PCB may include solder pads on a single surface or both surfaces. The sold pads may be configured for the tails of the connector to be attached with a surface mount soldering technique. As a result, the connector has high density and high speed, requires, requires a smaller mounting area on a PCB, relaxes the limitations in routing PCB traces, and reduces the electrical performance deterioration caused by PCB trace routing limitations. The connector may have row-oriented terminal subassemblies, holes in the connector housing and other features to facilitate reliable manufacture and operation of the connector.