US3594707A - Circuit board with fluid pressurized insert strip - Google Patents

Circuit board with fluid pressurized insert strip Download PDF

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Publication number
US3594707A
US3594707A US867655A US3594707DA US3594707A US 3594707 A US3594707 A US 3594707A US 867655 A US867655 A US 867655A US 3594707D A US3594707D A US 3594707DA US 3594707 A US3594707 A US 3594707A
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circuit board
insert strip
pocket
fluid
board
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US867655A
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William Donald Peterson
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
    • H05K1/02—Details
    • H05K1/11—Printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits
    • H05K1/118—Printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits specially for flexible printed circuits, e.g. using folded portions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/82—Coupling devices connected with low or zero insertion force
    • H01R12/85—Coupling devices connected with low or zero insertion force contact pressure producing means, contacts activated after insertion of printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/853—Fluid activated

Definitions

  • CIRCUIT BOARD WITH FLUID PRESSURIZED ABSTRACT An electronic circuit board having a collapsible insert strip with a sealed pressurizable pocket between the insert strip conductors, by varying the amount'of fluid in the pocket being able to contract thinner for insertion into a con-
  • the present invention relates to a need for being able to quickly connect an automatic test system or system wiring analyzer to a multitude of connectors of a complex wired assembly.
  • Two methods are presently being used to accomplish this connection requirement.
  • One method is using a multitude of spring-loaded contact pins mounted on a press, each pin being wired to the wiring analyzer.
  • the connection is made by forcing all of the pins against conduction surfaces within the assembly to be tested.
  • the other method is inserting conventional circuit boards singularly, each board being wired to the test system.
  • the invention enables semiconventional circuit boards to be inserted in large groups. This is possible by using the invented circuit board, having a collapsible insert strip, which requires a much lower force for insertion into a connector.
  • the present invention relates to making an electrical contact between a unique circuit board insert strip (the male member, and an ordinary connector (the female member).
  • the invention provides that the male member contract thinner for insertion into a connector and expand thicker to make electrical contact after insertion.
  • the expansion is caused by forcing a fluid into a sealed pressurizable pocket between the insert strip conductors.
  • the fluid is inserted via a manifold on one side of the circuit board. Because of the ease of insertion obtained, a multitude of circuit boards can be connected simultaneously to a multitude of connectors. By interconnecting the individual fluid manifolds, all of the insert strips of the circuit boards can be expanded together. When a disconnection is desired, the fluid causing the expansion is extracted thus causing the insert strips to again contract and allow extraction of the circuit board insert strips from the connections with little force.
  • the collapsible insert strip is constructed of inherently flexible materials or materials so thin they are relatively flexible even though not normally considered flexible. Because of the thinness of a circuit board structure, difficulty occurs in attempting to incorporate a homogeneous fluid blatter, thus the fluid pocket is formed by three faces of the circuit board filler, and three faces of the flexible conductor supporting material. Sealing of the pocket occurs by bonding the perimeter of the three faces of the flexible conductor supporting material to the circuit board filler.
  • Various fluids can be used for pressurizing within the insert strip, air will probably be most advantageous because of its availability and also minor leaks which might occur would not be detrimental.
  • the shape of the insert strip is controlled by leading edge segments of the board 2 filler.
  • FIG. I is a perspective view of the insert end of the circuit board, having a section cut away to show the fluid passages in the manifold, board base, and insert strip.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through the fluid passageway of the circuit board and a corresponding location of a typical circuit board connector.
  • the insert strip is shown in its typically normal configuration.
  • FIGv 3 illustrates the insertion of an insert strip into the socket as shown in FIG. I.
  • the insert strip is shown collapsed with fluid removed allowing the insert strip to be inserted causing no deflection of the conductors of the connector which deflections and its associated frictional resistance attributes to the insert resistance of normal circuit board inscrtion.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the establishment of electrical contact of an insert strip and socket as shown in FIG. I.
  • the insert strip is shown expanded with fluid pressure applied.
  • the conductors of the connector are shown deflected as also occurs in a normal circuit board insert strip insertion as the leading edge of the circuit board is wider than the normal distance between connector conductors.
  • Fluid 1 is carried to the pocket 2 between the insert strip conductors 3 via a tube 4 to the manifold 5 through a hole in the flexible conductor supporting material 6 and through a slot in the rigid circuit board filler 7.
  • the fluid pocket 2 has six sides consisting of the slotted edge of the board tiller 7 two sides of the leading edge segments 8 of the board filler 7 and three sides from the conductor-supporting material 6.
  • the conductor-supporting material 6 is bonded to the board tiller 7, 8 to prevent leaks.
  • a sealant is also used at the manifold fluid passageway 9 and the surface around the hole through the conductor-supporting material 6.
  • the insert strip conductors 3 are bonded to the support material 6.
  • the manifold 5 is attached with two screws 10 which pass through the assembly into a back support block 11. Where interconnection is required between directly opposite conductors 3 of the two sides of the circuit board, the conductors 3 will not be broken as shown at the leading edge 12
  • a typical circuit board connector is shown consisting of spring contact connectors 13 imbedded into a plastic structure 14.
  • an electric circuit board comprising a board filler, a flexible insert strip extending around one edge of said board filler and forming a sealed pressurizable pocket therewith, said strip having flexible conductors mounted on the outer surface thereof.

Abstract

An electronic circuit board having a collapsible insert strip with a sealed pressurizable pocket between the insert strip conductors, by varying the amount of fluid in the pocket being able to contract thinner for insertion into a connector and expanding thicker to make electrical contact. A system having a multitude of these circuit boards to connect to a multitude of connectors of an electronic assembly.

Description

United States Pate m m wvvw 7HH7 1991 33 9 9 3 3 3 3 L .H O n n" g. h m.m.m dda mmm MRRO 338 6666 9999 HHHH 4115i 6666 662 1 2 8606 7796 2333 U v. .n C e k la L n. ma a am u mm a n 6 D4 ma 5 h6 19m WWMS u r 0 N m c 0. v D. m A n m Filed Oct. 20, 1969 OTHERREFERENCES IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, Vol. 8, No. 4,Sept.l965,p.5l8
Primary Examiner-kin A. Calvert Assistant Examiner-Terrell P. Lewis M F g .m mm D m TS m mm C m:
[54] CIRCUIT BOARD WITH FLUID PRESSURIZED ABSTRACT: An electronic circuit board having a collapsible insert strip with a sealed pressurizable pocket between the insert strip conductors, by varying the amount'of fluid in the pocket being able to contract thinner for insertion into a con- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS nector and expanding thicker to make electrical contact. A
system having a multitude of these circuit boards to connect to a multitude of connectors of an electronic assembly.
2,975,390 3/196] Cardasciaetal.............339/ll7(P)X BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a need for being able to quickly connect an automatic test system or system wiring analyzer to a multitude of connectors of a complex wired assembly. Two methods are presently being used to accomplish this connection requirement. One method is using a multitude of spring-loaded contact pins mounted on a press, each pin being wired to the wiring analyzer. The connection is made by forcing all of the pins against conduction surfaces within the assembly to be tested. The other method is inserting conventional circuit boards singularly, each board being wired to the test system.
The invention enables semiconventional circuit boards to be inserted in large groups. This is possible by using the invented circuit board, having a collapsible insert strip, which requires a much lower force for insertion into a connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to making an electrical contact between a unique circuit board insert strip (the male member, and an ordinary connector (the female member). The invention provides that the male member contract thinner for insertion into a connector and expand thicker to make electrical contact after insertion. The expansion is caused by forcing a fluid into a sealed pressurizable pocket between the insert strip conductors. The fluid is inserted via a manifold on one side of the circuit board. Because of the ease of insertion obtained, a multitude of circuit boards can be connected simultaneously to a multitude of connectors. By interconnecting the individual fluid manifolds, all of the insert strips of the circuit boards can be expanded together. When a disconnection is desired, the fluid causing the expansion is extracted thus causing the insert strips to again contract and allow extraction of the circuit board insert strips from the connections with little force.
The collapsible insert strip is constructed of inherently flexible materials or materials so thin they are relatively flexible even though not normally considered flexible. Because of the thinness of a circuit board structure, difficulty occurs in attempting to incorporate a homogeneous fluid blatter, thus the fluid pocket is formed by three faces of the circuit board filler, and three faces of the flexible conductor supporting material. Sealing of the pocket occurs by bonding the perimeter of the three faces of the flexible conductor supporting material to the circuit board filler. Various fluids can be used for pressurizing within the insert strip, air will probably be most advantageous because of its availability and also minor leaks which might occur would not be detrimental. The shape of the insert strip is controlled by leading edge segments of the board 2 filler.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of the insert end of the circuit board, having a section cut away to show the fluid passages in the manifold, board base, and insert strip.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through the fluid passageway of the circuit board and a corresponding location of a typical circuit board connector. The insert strip is shown in its typically normal configuration.
FIGv 3 illustrates the insertion of an insert strip into the socket as shown in FIG. I. The insert strip is shown collapsed with fluid removed allowing the insert strip to be inserted causing no deflection of the conductors of the connector which deflections and its associated frictional resistance attributes to the insert resistance of normal circuit board inscrtion.
FIG. 4 illustrates the establishment of electrical contact of an insert strip and socket as shown in FIG. I. The insert strip is shown expanded with fluid pressure applied. The conductors of the connector are shown deflected as also occurs in a normal circuit board insert strip insertion as the leading edge of the circuit board is wider than the normal distance between connector conductors.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fluid 1 is carried to the pocket 2 between the insert strip conductors 3 via a tube 4 to the manifold 5 through a hole in the flexible conductor supporting material 6 and through a slot in the rigid circuit board filler 7. The fluid pocket 2 has six sides consisting of the slotted edge of the board tiller 7 two sides of the leading edge segments 8 of the board filler 7 and three sides from the conductor-supporting material 6. The conductor-supporting material 6 is bonded to the board tiller 7, 8 to prevent leaks. A sealant is also used at the manifold fluid passageway 9 and the surface around the hole through the conductor-supporting material 6. The insert strip conductors 3 are bonded to the support material 6. The manifold 5 is attached with two screws 10 which pass through the assembly into a back support block 11. Where interconnection is required between directly opposite conductors 3 of the two sides of the circuit board, the conductors 3 will not be broken as shown at the leading edge 12 A typical circuit board connector is shown consisting of spring contact connectors 13 imbedded into a plastic structure 14.
Iclaim:
I. In a pressure actuated connector assembly, an electric circuit board comprising a board filler, a flexible insert strip extending around one edge of said board filler and forming a sealed pressurizable pocket therewith, said strip having flexible conductors mounted on the outer surface thereof.
2. The connector assembly of claim 1 and further including means for inflating said pocket.

Claims (2)

1. In a pressure actuated connector assembly, an electric circuit board comprising a board filler, a flexible insert strip extending around one edge of said board filler and forming a sealed pressurizable pocket therewith, said strip having flexible conductors mounted on the outer surface thereof.
2. The connector assembly of claim 1 and further including means for inflating said pocket.
US867655A 1969-10-20 1969-10-20 Circuit board with fluid pressurized insert strip Expired - Lifetime US3594707A (en)

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US86765569A 1969-10-20 1969-10-20

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0014511A1 (en) * 1979-02-12 1980-08-20 Bohdan Ulrich Zero insertion force connector for making a disconnectible electrical connexion
US5071357A (en) * 1990-04-18 1991-12-10 International Business Machines Corporation Fluid pressure actuated electrical connector
US5102343A (en) * 1991-02-22 1992-04-07 International Business Machines Corporation Fluid pressure actuated electrical connector
US5222668A (en) * 1991-04-03 1993-06-29 International Business Machines Corporation Fluid actuated connector
US8780556B1 (en) * 2012-03-26 2014-07-15 Lochheed Martin Corporation Fluid actuated cooling card retainer

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2975390A (en) * 1958-12-31 1961-03-14 Ibm Pluggable unit
US2978666A (en) * 1957-05-27 1961-04-04 Ibm Fluid pressure connector for printed circuit card
US3076166A (en) * 1956-12-13 1963-01-29 Monroe Calculating Machine Electrical connector for printed circuit cards
US3366916A (en) * 1966-07-15 1968-01-30 Ibm Connector with fluid pressure relief devices

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3076166A (en) * 1956-12-13 1963-01-29 Monroe Calculating Machine Electrical connector for printed circuit cards
US3090026A (en) * 1956-12-13 1963-05-14 Monroe Calculating Machine Electrical connectors
US2978666A (en) * 1957-05-27 1961-04-04 Ibm Fluid pressure connector for printed circuit card
US2975390A (en) * 1958-12-31 1961-03-14 Ibm Pluggable unit
US3366916A (en) * 1966-07-15 1968-01-30 Ibm Connector with fluid pressure relief devices

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, Vol. 8, No. 4, Sept. 1965, p. 518 *

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0014511A1 (en) * 1979-02-12 1980-08-20 Bohdan Ulrich Zero insertion force connector for making a disconnectible electrical connexion
US5071357A (en) * 1990-04-18 1991-12-10 International Business Machines Corporation Fluid pressure actuated electrical connector
US5102343A (en) * 1991-02-22 1992-04-07 International Business Machines Corporation Fluid pressure actuated electrical connector
US5222668A (en) * 1991-04-03 1993-06-29 International Business Machines Corporation Fluid actuated connector
US8780556B1 (en) * 2012-03-26 2014-07-15 Lochheed Martin Corporation Fluid actuated cooling card retainer

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