KR20210132898A - connector including conductive elastomer - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector including a conductive elastomer includes: a first connector including a first substrate and a conductive elastomer; and a second connector including a second substrate and a pad part, and detachably coupled to the first connector. The conductive elastomer is electrically connected to the first substrate, and when the first connector and the second connector are connected, the conductive elastomer is electrically connected to the pad part. The pad part can include a plurality of signal pads. In addition, various embodiments are possible.

Description

Connector including conductive elastomer

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a connector including a conductive elastomer for bonding between boards included in an electronic device.

Electronic devices such as smart phones and tablet PCs include connectors for signal transmission. The connector structure included in the electronic device includes a structure that forms tension between connectors for signal transmission, and may be connected to the connector using a plurality of pins.

Since the connector may form a stub structure due to a structure that forms tension, impedance discontinuity and/or signal reflection may occur. The connector has a problem in that it is difficult to form a coaxial structure and transmits a single signal rather than a multi-channel signal. In addition, since the signal is transmitted using a plurality of pins, the amount of electromagnetic wave radiation increases, and there is a difficulty in manufacturing due to the complexity of the structure.

A connector including a conductive elastomer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may transmit/receive a signal using a connector structure including a conductive material and using an elastic material.

A connector including a conductive elastomer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a first connector including a first substrate and a conductive elastomer; and a second connector including a second board and a pad part, the second connector being detachably coupled to the first connector, wherein the conductive elastomer is electrically connected to the first board, and the first connector and the second connector When is connected, it is electrically connected to the pad part, and the pad part may include a plurality of signal pads.

The connector according to various embodiments of the present invention forms a coaxial structure capable of transmitting a signal in multiple channels by connecting boards to each other through a conductive elastomer without using a plurality of pins.

In addition, since the connector according to various embodiments of the present invention does not require a separate structure for maintaining tension between the connectors, it is advantageous for high-frequency signal transmission by ensuring continuous impedance.

In addition, the connector according to various embodiments of the present invention may secure excellent shielding characteristics by using an elastic material to cause defects between connectors.

In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components.
1 is a plan view of a first connector according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
2 is a plan view of a second connector according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
3 is a plan view of a third connector according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1 cut in the AA′ direction.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 2 cut in the BB` direction.
6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 3 cut in a direction CC`.
7 is a cross-sectional view viewed from the direction BB′ when the first connector and the second connector are coupled to each other.
8 is a cross-sectional view of a case in which the first connector and the third connector are coupled to each other as viewed from the direction CC′.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present document may be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view of a first connector 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention. 2 is a plan view of the second connector 200 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 3 is a plan view of a third connector 300 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to various embodiments, the first connector 100 may include a first board 101 and a first connector part 105 . For example, the first substrate 101 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) and/or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The first connector part 105 may include a support part 102 , a first fixing member 103 , and a conductive elastomer 104 .

According to various embodiments, the support unit 102 may have the first connector unit 105 fixed to the first board 101 . Components included in the first connector unit 105 may be disposed on the support unit 102 . The support unit 102 may be of a planar shape, and one surface may be coupled to the first substrate 101 , and the first connector unit 105 may be disposed on the other surface. The support unit 102 may be coupled to the first substrate 101 and/or the first connector unit 105 through an adhesive member.

According to various embodiments, the support unit 102 may be electrically connected to the first substrate 101 coupled to one surface thereof. The support part 102 may be electrically coupled to a conductive elastomer 104 of the first connector part 105 coupled to the other surface.

According to various embodiments, the first connector part 105 may include a first fixing member 103 and a conductive elastomer 104 . The first fixing member 103 may include a shielding performance and may be removably coupled to the second fixing member 202 of FIG. 2 and/or the third fixing member 302 of FIG. 3 .

According to various embodiments, the conductive elastomer 104 is an insulating material having elasticity, and in the conductive elastomer 104, conductive powder may be uniformly distributed among the insulating materials. In the conductive elastomer 104 , conductive powder may be disposed to have anisotropy and/or isotropy between insulating materials. For example, the insulating material included in the conductive elastomer 104 may be natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, cloprene rubber, polyurethane-based rubber, and/or silicone rubber, or a mixture thereof. The conductive powder included in the conductive elastomer 104 may be, for example, carbon, metal powder, metal plating particles, or a mixture thereof. The gold plating particles may be in a form in which nickel is coated with gold or silver.

According to various embodiments, when a pressure is applied from the outside, the conductive powder inside the conductive elastomer 104 is physically deformed by the pressure to electrically connect and form a via.

According to various embodiments, the conductive elastomer 120 is a bulky polyhedron (eg, a cuboid) and/or a cylinder with a first surface (or base) coupled toward the support 102 and parallel to the first surface. Two sides can face out.

According to various embodiments, the conductive elastomer 104 is physically deformed by the conductive powder included in the conductive elastomer 104 when a pressure greater than or equal to a predetermined standard is applied to one surface from one surface (eg, the first surface) to the other surface (eg, up to the second side) can be electrically connected.

According to various embodiments, the conductive elastomer 104 may be disposed inside the first fixing member 103 . The first fixing member 103 may be spaced apart from the conductive elastomer 104 by a predetermined distance (eg, a distance in the Y direction and/or a distance b in the X direction) to surround the conductive elastomer 104 . have.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the second connector 200 may include a second board 201 and a second connector unit 205 . For example, the second substrate 201 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) and/or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The second connector unit 205 may include a second fixing member 202 and a first pad unit 204 .

According to various embodiments, the second fixing member 202 may include the first coupling member 220 . One surface of the second fixing member 202 may be fixed to the second substrate 201 and support the first coupling member 220 . The first coupling member 220 may include a structure capable of being coupled to the first fixing member 103 . The first fixing member 103 and the second fixing member 202 may be detachably coupled. When the first fixing member 103 and the second fixing member 202 are coupled, the conductive elastomer 104 and the first pad portion ( 204) can be shielded.

According to various embodiments, the first pad part 204 may be disposed inside the second fixing member 202 . The second fixing member 202 is spaced apart from the first pad part 204 by a predetermined distance (eg, a distance in the Y direction and/or a distance b in the X direction), the first pad part 204 . can be surrounded by A planar view area of the first pad part 204 may be substantially the same as a planar view area of the conductive elastomer 104 .

According to various embodiments, the first pad part 204 may have a planar shape, and one surface may be electrically connected to the second substrate and the other surface may be detachably coupled to the conductive elastomer 104 . The first pad unit 204 may include a plurality of first signal pads 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 , 236 and a ground pad 203 . The first plurality of signal pads 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 , and 236 may be electrically connected to the second substrate 201 , and the ground pad 203 may be connected to the ground. Each of the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 and 236 may be a coaxial circular pad having a predetermined size. Each of the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 , and 236 may have a shape in which a dielectric is encircled around a circular pad made of a conductive material. Each of the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 , and 236 may be disposed between the ground pads 203 at regular intervals. The ground pad 203 may include a conductive material.

In various embodiments, the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 201 are electrically connected via a first plurality of signal pads 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 , 236 and a conductive elastomer 104 , and , can transmit and receive signals. The first substrate 101 and the second substrate 201 are electrically connected through the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 , 236 and the conductive elastomer 104 , and transmit a multi-channel signal. can transmit and receive.

In various embodiments, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are coupled, the first pad portion 204 is coupled to at least a portion of the surface of the elastic conductive elastomer 104 , and the first pad portion 204 can apply pressure to the conductive elastomer 104 . When the pressure of the first pad part 204 is received, the conductive powder included in the conductive elastomer 104 is physically deformed to form an electrical signal path between the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 201 . have.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the third connector 300 may include a third board 301 and a third connector unit 305 . For example, the third substrate 301 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) and/or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The third connector part 305 may include a third fixing member 302 and a second pad part 304 .

According to various embodiments, the third fixing member 302 may include the second coupling member 320 . One surface of the third fixing member 302 may be fixed to the third substrate 301 and support the second coupling member 320 . The second coupling member 320 may include a structure capable of being coupled to the first fixing member 103 . The first fixing member 103 and the third fixing member 302 may be detachably coupled. When the first fixing member 103 and the third fixing member 302 are coupled to each other, the conductive elastomer 104 and the second pad portion ( 304) can be shielded.

According to various embodiments, the second pad part 304 may be disposed inside the third fixing member 302 . The third fixing member 302 is spaced apart from the second pad part 304 by a predetermined distance (eg, a distance in the Y direction and/or a distance b in the X direction), and the second pad part 304 is spaced apart from the second pad part 304 . can be surrounded by A planar view area of the second pad part 304 and a planar view area of the conductive elastomer 104 may be substantially the same.

According to various embodiments, the second pad part 304 may have a planar shape, and one surface may be electrically connected to the second substrate and the other surface may be detachably coupled to the conductive elastomer 104 . The second pad unit 304 may include a plurality of second signal pads 331 , 332 , 333 , 334 , 335 , 336 and a dielectric pad 303 . At least one of the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 332 , 333 , 334 , 335 and 336 is electrically connected to the third substrate 301 , and the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 332 , 333 , 334 are electrically connected to the third substrate 301 . , 335, 336) may be connected to the ground. Each of the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 332 , 333 , 334 , 335 and 336 may be a conductive circular pad having a predetermined size. Each of the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 332 , 333 , 334 , 335 and 336 may be disposed between the dielectric pads 303 at regular intervals. The dielectric pad 303 may be made of a dielectric material.

In various embodiments, the first substrate 101 and the third substrate 301 are coupled via the conductive elastomer 104 and at least one of the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 332 , 333 , 334 , 335 , 336 . It is electrically connected and can transmit and receive signals. The first substrate 101 and the third substrate 301 are electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of second signal pads 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336 through the conductive elastomer 104, Multi-channel signals can be transmitted and received.

In various embodiments, when the first connector 100 and the third connector 300 are coupled, the second pad part 304 is coupled to at least a portion of the surface of the elastic conductive elastomer 104, and the second pad part 304 can apply pressure to the conductive elastomer 104 . When the pressure of the second pad part 304 is transmitted, the conductive powder included in the conductive elastomer 104 is physically deformed to form an electrical signal path between the first substrate 101 and the third substrate 301 . have.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 100 of FIG. 1 cut in the A-A' direction.

According to various embodiments, the support unit 102 may have a planar shape, and one surface may be coupled to the first substrate 101 , and the first connector unit 105 may be disposed on the other surface.

According to various embodiments, the first connector part 105 may include a first fixing member 103 and a conductive elastomer 104 . The first fixing member 103 may include at least one of a clip structure, a pogo structure, or a surface mounter technology (SMT). The height of the first fixing member 103 may be _{the first length H 1 .} The height of the conductive elastomer 104 may be _{a second length H 2 .} Before the first connector 100 engages the second connector 200 or the third connector 300 , the second length H ₂ of the conductive elastomer 104 is the first length of the first fixing member 103 . It may be longer than (H _{1 ).} Before the first connector 100 is coupled to the second connector 200 or the third connector 300 , the height of the conductive elastomer 104 may be greater than the height of the first fixing member 103 .

5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 200 of FIG. 2 taken in the B-B' direction.

According to various embodiments, the second fixing member 202 may include the first coupling member 220 . One surface of the second fixing member 202 may be fixed to the second substrate 201 and support the first coupling member 220 . The first coupling member 220 may include a structure capable of being coupled to the first fixing member 103 . The first fixing member 103 and the second fixing member 202 may be detachably coupled.

According to various embodiments, the first pad part 204 may have a planar shape, and one surface may be electrically connected to the second substrate and the other surface may be detachably coupled to the conductive elastomer 104 . Referring to the cross section in the B-B′ direction, the first pad part 204 may include a plurality of first signal pads 231 , 233 , 235 and a ground pad 203 . The plurality of first signal pads 231 , 233 , and 235 may be electrically connected to the second substrate 201 , and the ground pad 203 may be connected to the ground. Each of the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 233 , and 235 may be a coaxial circular pad having a predetermined size. Each of the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 233 , and 235 may have a shape in which a dielectric is encircled around a circular pad made of a conductive material. Each of the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 233 , and 235 may be disposed between the ground pads 203 at regular intervals. The ground pad 203 may include a conductive material.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 300 of FIG. 3 cut in the direction C-C′.

According to various embodiments, the third fixing member 302 may include the second coupling member 320 . One surface of the third fixing member 302 may be fixed to the third substrate 301 and support the second coupling member 320 . The second coupling member 320 may include a structure capable of being coupled to the first fixing member 103 . The first fixing member 103 and the third fixing member 302 may be detachably coupled.

According to various embodiments, the second pad part 304 may have a planar shape, and one surface may be electrically connected to the third substrate 301 and the other surface may be detachably coupled to the conductive elastomer 104 . Referring to the cross section in the C-C′ direction, the second pad unit 304 may include a plurality of second signal pads 331 , 333 , 335 and a dielectric pad 303 . At least one of the plurality of second signal pads 331 , 333 , and 335 may be connected to a ground, and at least one or more may be electrically connected to the third substrate 301 . Each of the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 333 , and 335 may be a conductive circular pad having a predetermined size. Each of the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 333 , and 335 may be disposed between the dielectric pads 303 at regular intervals.

7 is a cross-sectional view viewed from the direction B-B′ when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are coupled.

According to various embodiments, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are coupled, the first connector part 105 and the second connector part 205 may be coupled.

When the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are coupled, the first fixing member 103 and the second fixing member 202 are coupled, and the first connector part 105 and the second connector part 205 are coupled. ) may form a shielding structure so that it is not affected by external signals or externally. For example, it may be coupled to the first coupling member 220 and the first fixing member 103 included in the second fixing member 202 in a pogo structure, a clip structure, and an SMT structure. When the first fixing member 103 and the second fixing member 202 are coupled, the first pad part 204 and the conductive elastomer 104 may also be coupled. When the first fixing member 103 and the second fixing member 202 are coupled to each other, the first pad part 204 may apply pressure to the conductive elastomer 104 . When the first pad part 204 applies pressure to the conductive elastomer 104 , the elastic conductive elastomer 104 may be contracted and/or compressed while maintaining tension in the direction of the first pad part 204 . When the first pad part 204 applies pressure to the conductive elastomer 104, the conductive elastomer 104 having elasticity is contracted and/or compressed while maintaining tension in the direction of the first pad part 204, and the conductive elastomer ( In 104 , conductive powder included therein may be physically deformed to form conductive vias. When the conductive elastomer 104 forms a conductive via, the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 233 , 235 and the ground pad 203 included in the first pad part 204 are electrically conductive elastomer 104 . can be connected to Each of the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 233 , and 235 may be a coaxial circular pad having a predetermined size. Each of the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 233 , and 235 may have a shape in which a dielectric is encircled around a circular pad made of a conductive material. Each of the first plurality of signal pads 231 , 233 , and 235 may be disposed between the ground pads 203 at regular intervals. The ground pad 203 may include a conductive material.

8 is a cross-sectional view viewed from the direction C-C′ when the first connector 100 and the third connector 300 are coupled.

According to various embodiments, when the first connector 100 and the third connector 300 are coupled, the first connector part 105 and the third connector part 305 may be coupled.

When the first connector 100 and the third connector 300 are coupled, the first fixing member 103 and the third fixing member 302 are coupled, and the first connector part 105 and the third connector part 305 are coupled. ) may form a shielding structure so that it is not affected by external signals or externally. For example, it may be coupled to the second coupling member 320 and the first fixing member 103 included in the third fixing member 302 in a pogo structure, a clip structure, and an SMT structure. When the first fixing member 103 and the third fixing member 302 are coupled, the second pad part 304 and the conductive elastomer 104 may also be coupled. When the first fixing member 103 and the third fixing member 302 are coupled to each other, the second pad part 304 may apply pressure to the conductive elastomer 104 . When the second pad part 304 applies pressure to the conductive elastomer 104 , the elastic conductive elastomer 104 may be contracted and/or compressed while maintaining tension in the direction of the second pad part 304 . When the second pad part 304 applies pressure to the conductive elastomer 104, the conductive elastomer 104 with elasticity is contracted and/or compressed while maintaining tension in the direction of the second pad part 304, and the conductive elastomer ( In 104 , conductive powder included therein may be physically deformed to form conductive vias. When the conductive elastomer 104 forms a conductive via, at least one of the plurality of second signal pads 331 , 333 , 335 included in the second pad part 304 is connected to the ground, and the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 333 , 335 are connected to the ground. At least one of the signal pads 331 , 333 , and 335 may be electrically connected to the conductive elastomer 104 . Each of the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 333 , and 335 may be a conductive circular pad having a predetermined size. Each of the second plurality of signal pads 331 , 333 , and 335 may be disposed between the dielectric pads 303 at regular intervals.

It should be understood that the various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of the noun corresponding to the item may include one or more of the item, unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B," "A, B or C," "at least one of A, B and C," and "A , B, or C" each may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding one of the phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as “first”, “second”, or “first” or “second” may simply be used to distinguish the component from other components in question, and may refer to components in other aspects (e.g., importance or order) is not limited. It is said that one (eg, first) component is "coupled" or "connected" to another (eg, second) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively". When referenced, it means that one component can be connected to the other component directly (eg by wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as, for example, logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integrally formed part or a minimum unit or a part of the part that performs one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments of the present document include software (eg, a program) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (eg, internal memory or external memory) readable by a machine (eg, an electronic device). can be implemented as For example, a processor (eg, a processor) of a device (eg, an electronic device) may call at least one of one or more instructions stored from a storage medium and execute it. This makes it possible for the device to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one command called. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The device-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not include a signal (eg, electromagnetic wave), and this term is used in cases where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and It does not distinguish between temporary storage cases.

According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided in a computer program product (computer program product). Computer program products may be traded between sellers and buyers as commodities. The computer program product is distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (eg compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or via an application store (eg Play Store ^TM ) or on two user devices ( It can be distributed (eg downloaded or uploaded) directly, online between smartphones (eg: smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a part of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium such as a memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (eg, a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a singular or a plurality of entities. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations among the above-described corresponding components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (eg, a module or a program) may be integrated into one component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each component of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. . According to various embodiments, operations performed by a module, program, or other component are executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations are executed in a different order, or omitted. or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims (15)

a first connector comprising a first substrate and a conductive elastomer; and
A second connector including a second board and a pad part, and a second connector detachably coupled to the first connector,
The conductive elastomer is
It is electrically connected to the first board, and when the first connector and the second connector are connected, it is electrically connected to the pad part;
the pad part
A connector comprising a conductive elastomer including a plurality of signal pads. The method of claim 1,
The first substrate and the second substrate are
A connector comprising a conductive elastomer, characterized in that it is a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board. The method of claim 1,
The conductive elastomer is
A connector comprising a conductive elastomer comprising an elastic insulating member and a conductive powder uniformly distributed with anisotropy and/or isotropy. 2. The method of claim 1
the pad part
A connector comprising: a conductive elastomer for disposing the plurality of signal pads at regular intervals between conductive ground pads. 5. The method of claim 4,
Each of the plurality of signal pads is
A connector comprising: a conductive elastomer comprising a conductive circular pad and a dielectric surrounding the circular pad. 6. The method of claim 5,
Each of the plurality of signal pads is
electrically connected to the second substrate;
The ground pad is a connector including a conductive elastomer connected to the ground. 2. The method of claim 1
the pad part
and a conductive elastomer disposing the plurality of signal pads at regular intervals between dielectric pads. 8. The method of claim 7,
Each of the plurality of signal pads is
A connector comprising a conductive elastomer comprising a conductive circular pad. 9. The method of claim 8
At least one of the plurality of signal pads
electrically connected to the second substrate;
At least one of the plurality of signal pads
A connector comprising a conductive elastomer connected to ground. The method of claim 1,
the first connector
A connector including a conductive elastomer including a first fixing member surrounding the conductive elastomer by being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. 11. The method of claim 10,
the second connector
A connector comprising a conductive elastomer including a second fixing member surrounding the pad portion spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. 12. The method of claim 11,
The first fixing member is
and a conductive elastomer coupled to the second fixing member to shield the conductive elastomer and the pad part when the first connector and the second connector are coupled. The method of claim 1,
The conductive elastomer is
and a conductive elastomer configured to contract with the pad part while maintaining tension to form a conductive via, and to transmit a signal between the first substrate and the second substrate through electrical connection with the pad part. 11. The method of claim 10,
the first connector
disposed on the first substrate,
and a conductive elastomer including a support portion supporting the first fixing member and the conductive elastomer. 11. The method of claim 10,
The first fixing member and the second fixing member are
A connector comprising a conductive elastomer that is either a clip structure, a pogo structure, or a surface mount technology.

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