Vertical Electrical Connector Assembly for Compact PCB Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors require a significant lateral movement and additional space on printed circuit boards during assembly, which is not feasible in the miniaturized connector industry where space is precious.
Innovation Solution
The design features an electrical connector with an upper and lower insulative base, including passageways and terminals that allow for vertical mounting, reducing the required mounting area by using complementary terminals that abut and extend beyond the base, enabling assembly in a vertical direction instead of horizontal, thus saving space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical connector is mounted onto the printed circuit board through lateral movement, then the connector can be assembled with the printed circuit board, but additional space is required on the printed circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the assembly direction from lateral (horizontal) to vertical. The upper insulative base is positioned directly above the lower insulative base, and assembly occurs by moving vertically along the Z-axis rather than laterally along the X or Y axis. This dimensional change allows the connector to be mounted in a space-efficient manner on the printed circuit board.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper insulative base is nested within the lower insulative base in the vertical direction. The upper base fits into the space above the lower base, with terminals extending through corresponding passageways. This nested configuration allows both bases to occupy a compact vertical space rather than requiring extensive lateral space.
2Volume of moving object
If the connector structure is miniaturized, then space on the printed circuit board is reduced, but the required lateral movement space becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from lateral to vertical assembly, the patent enables miniaturization of the connector's footprint on the printed circuit board. The vertical stacking of upper and lower bases allows the connector to maintain functional size while reducing its lateral footprint, directly addressing the miniaturization requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of expanding lateral space to accommodate assembly movement, the patent inverts the approach by utilizing vertical space. The assembly process is reversed from the conventional lateral approach to a vertical approach, allowing miniaturization of the horizontal footprint while maintaining assembly functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly includes an upper insulative base and a lower insulative base discrete from each other, and assembled therewith along an up-to-down direction instead of a left-to-right direction. Thus, a small assembly space will be achieved compared to the prior art.