The present invention relates generally to electronic connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for mounting a printed circuit board assembly, having a blind mate connector, to a supporting structure in a floating configuration.
Prior art printed circuit board assemblies (“PCBAs”) having a blind mate connector are typically rigidly mounted onto a supporting substrate, such as a sheet metal panel or a bracket. A reliable blind mate connector alignment and eventual connection are not guaranteed due to parts manufacturing tolerances and misalignment between the connector male and female components.
Some connectors are designed to bend to a certain extent to compensate for a misalignment. However, in some cases, the bending of the connectors may not be sufficient for compensating a misalignment. In other cases, although a misalignment may be compensated by the bending, an intensive use will likely result in a shortened connector lifetime.
Therefore, a need exists for a floating, self-centering connector and method of using same that allows a PCBA to move along three axis of movement within the allowable clearance between the PCBA mounting holes and fastening hardware, thus overcoming the prior art problems of connector misalignment and excessive stress on the connector, while ensuring a proper electrical connection.
Embodiments of the present invention substantially address the above identified needs and others. One object of the present invention is to provide a simple, self-centering floating connector and a floating mounting method for a PCBA that allows the PCBA to move along X, Y and Z axes within an allowable tolerance between a PCBA mounting hole and a fastening hardware, to ensure proper connector alignment and electrical connection.
Embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be implemented within any electronic system or device in which it is advantageous to have a secure, simple and self-centering floating connector that allows a PCBA, and the connector mounted onto the PCBA, to float along X, Y and Z axes, thus eliminating connector male and female component misalignment. In particular, the embodiments of the present invention can be used within an electronic assembly for a laser device.
In one embodiment, a self-centering connection is provided. This self-centering connection includes a first substrate, a first connector assembly, a first number of alignment guides, a second substrate, a second connector assembly, a second number of alignment guides, and a number of free-floating compression fastener systems. The first connecting assembly is mounted on the first substrate. The first alignment guides are amounted on both the first and second substrate. The second connector assembly is mounted on the second substrate. The free-floating compression fastener system mechanically couples the first substrate to the second substrate wherein tolerances of the free-floating compression fastener system allow the first substrate to float relative to the second substrate in an XY in a first plane. The compression load of the compression fastener system allows the first substrate to float in a Z axis relative to the second substrate.
In another embodiment, a self-centering connection is provided. This self-centering connection includes a printed circuit board assembly, a first connector assembly, a first number of alignment guides, an equipment chassis, a second connector assembly, a second number of alignment guides, and a number of free-floating compression fastener systems. The first connecting assembly is mounted on the printed circuit board assembly. The first alignment guides are mounted on both the printed circuit board assembly and equipment chassis. The second connector assembly is mounted on the equipment chassis. The free-floating compression fastener system mechanically couples the printed circuit board assembly to the equipment chassis wherein tolerances of the free-floating compression fastener system allow the printed circuit board assembly to float relative to the equipment chassis in an XY in a first plane. The compression load of the compression fastener system allows the printed circuit board assembly to float in a Z axis relative to the equipment chassis.
These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like features and wherein:
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the FIGs., like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
A tapered washer 3, as shown in
The position of the female portion 100 of blind mate connector 10 (e.g., in the example of
Compliance in the Z axis direction is provided by the PCBA 14 sliding down the length of the studs G, as shown in
Returning to
The embodiments of the present invention provide various advantages over the prior art. Proper engagement of blind connector 10 is ensured by the embodiments of the apparatus and method of this invention in that they provide for a PCBA, and a connector 10 mounted on the PCBA, to float in the X, Y and Z axes directions, thus eliminating the effect of excessive misalignment between the connector 10 portions. Further, in the case of the floating portion of a connector 10, the embodiments of this invention allow for floating of the PCBA, which may be more advantageous in certain implementations, such that movement in the X, Y and Z axes directions may be customized to suit a user and implementation.
The free-floating compression fastener system may include alignment pins, alignment holes, a compression-loaded male fastener having a shoulder, a female fastener operable to mechanically couple to the compression-loaded male fastener as shown with reference to
In summary, a self-centering connection is provided. This self-centering connection includes a first substrate, a first connector assembly, a first number of alignment guides, a second substrate, a second connector assembly, a second number of alignment guides, and a number of free-floating compression fastener systems. The first connecting assembly is mounted on the first substrate. The first alignment guides are amounted on both the first and second substrate. The second connector assembly is mounted on the second substrate. The free-floating compression fastener system mechanically couples the first substrate to the second substrate wherein tolerances of the free-floating compression fastener system allow the first substrate to float relative to the second substrate in an XY in a first plane. The compression load of the compression fastener system allows the first substrate to float in a Z axis relative to the second substrate. This connection may be an optical, acoustic, electrical or fluid type connection.
As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the term “substantially” or “approximately”, as may be used herein, provides an industry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to twenty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. As one of average skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “operably coupled”, as may be used herein, includes direct coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element, circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, the intervening component, element, circuit, or module does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As one of average skill in the art will also appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as “operably coupled”. As one of average skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “compares favorably”, as may be used herein, indicates that a comparison between two or more elements, items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.
Although the present invention is described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the appended claims.
The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the following U.S. Provisional Patent Application which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility patent application for all purposes: 1. U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/954,735, entitled “FLOATING SELF-CENTERING CONNECTOR,” (Attorney Docket No. 3313 Pr), filed Aug. 8, 2007.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60954735 | Aug 2007 | US |