Printed circuit board connector for non-planar configurations

• US 9,666,967 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2014
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Bosscher, Nathan P., Stanley, Craig M., Do, Trent K., Hobson, Phillip M., Boozer, Brad G., Baker, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARCUM, MARCUS E
• Application Number:
  US14/444,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20160028173A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 439 31, 439 65, 439928, 361785
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/722 coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/732 Printed circuits being in the same plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/038 Textiles used as reinforcing materials for organic insulating substrates H05K1/0366
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/14 Structural association of two or more printed circuits providing electric connection to or between printed circuits H05K1/11, H01R12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/148 Arrangements of two or more hingeably connected rigid printed circuit boards, i.e. connected by flexible means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09027 Non-rectangular flat PCB, e.g. circular
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10189 Non-printed connector
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/36 Assembling printed circuits with other printed circuits H05K7/142 takes precedence

Abstract

A mesh network of printed circuit boards (PCBs) including a first PCB coupled to a second rigid PCB by way of an interlocking connection is provided. The interlocking connection has a degree of freedom that allows the first and second PCBs to form a twist angle between each other; the interlocking connector configured to provide electrical coupling between active components disposed in each of the first and second PCBs. A method of forming a substrate fabric including a mesh network as above is also provided. Further provided is a method of activating the mesh network of printed circuit boards as above.

Claims

1. A mesh network of printed circuit boards (PCBs), comprising:

a first rigid PCB defining a first securing mechanism;

a second rigid PCB defining a second securing mechanism;

wherein the first and second securing mechanisms join one another to form an interlocking connection between the first and second rigid PCBs;

the interlocking connection is configured to allow the first and second PCBs to form a first twist angle around a first axis that is transverse to the interlocking connection and a second twist angle around a second axis that is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the first axis, wherein the first twist angle is formed in response to a torsion applied about the first axis; and

the interlocking connection is configured to electrically couple the first and second PCBs.

2. The mesh network of claim 1 wherein:

the first securing mechanism comprises a pin connector in the first PCB having a plurality of pins; and

the second securing mechanism comprises a blade connector in the second PCB having a plurality of blades;

wherein the plurality of pins are configured to engage a blade in the blade connector.

3. The mesh network of claim 1 wherein the electrical coupling comprises an electrical power line and a data transmission line.

4. The mesh network as in claim 2 wherein:

the pin connector comprises a pin latching detent configured to engage a blade latching detent in the blade connector;

the pin connector is disposed relating to the blade connector at a non-zero offset angle.

5. The mesh network as in claim 2 wherein:

the pin connector is coupled to a bypass component; and

one of the first PCB and the second PCB further comprise a collection pin to provide an electrical power line and a data transmission line to a board controlling an active electrical component.

6. The mesh network as in claim 2 wherein at least one of the pin connector and the blade connector are hinged on a substrate of the first PCB or the second PCB.

7. The mesh network of claim 2 further comprising:

a first recess proximal to the pin connector in the first PCB; and

a second recess proximal to the blade connector in the second PCB.

8. The mesh network of claim 7 wherein the first recess and the second recess are configured to provide a torsional stress relief to the interlocking connection.

9. A substrate fabric comprising:

first and second adjacent substrates linked together to form a meshed network, each comprising;

a first linkable element and a second linkable element, each linkable element including a conductive material, wherein the first linkable element in the first adjacent substrate engages the second linkable element in the second adjacent substrate to define an interlocking connection, the interlocking connection being located at a first side of the first substrate and a second side of the second substrate;

wherein the first and second adjacent substrates form a twist angle at the interlocking connection in response to a torsion applied about an axis, and the axis extends transverse to the first side of the first substrate and the second side of the second substrate; and

a plurality of traces for electrical power and data transmission lines, each of the traces including at least one electrical connection formed between the first linkable element engaging the second linkable element in the first and second adjacent substrates.

10. The substrate fabric of claim 9 wherein the meshed network forms a three-dimensional surface and each of the substrates includes a plug and play electronic device.

11. The substrate fabric of claim 9 wherein the meshed network has an ergonomic shape.

12. The substrate fabric of claim 11 wherein the ergonomic shape is compliant with a part of the human body.

13. The substrate fabric of claim 9 wherein the first and second adjacent substrates comprise at least one of the group consisting of a microphone, a speakerphone, a display, and a touch sensitive screen.

14. The substrate fabric of claim 9 wherein the first and second adjacent substrates comprise at least one of the group consisting of a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.