Circuit board electrical and physical connection system and method
AssigneeAvaya Technology Corp.
InventorBassel Hage Daoud
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method of establishing an electrical connection between first and second circuit boards includes the use of a multi-function fastener. The fastener is inserted between the circuit boards and serves to physically connect the circuit boards to each other and to a support or base. The fastener bears against conductive edge portions of the first and second circuit boards to also establish electrical conductivity between the circuit boards. Fasteners may be provided to communicate a grounding voltage, as well as, a power supply voltage. By providing a series of circuit boards and fasteners, it is possible to establish common ground and power supply voltage levels in multi-circuit board assemblies, without providing separate ground and power supply bars.
Claims27
An electrical assembly comprising:
- a base;
- a first circuit board disposed on said base;
- said first circuit board including a first electrically conductive portion
- a second circuit board disposed on said base;
- said second circuit board including a first electrically conductive portion;
- a first fastener located between said first circuit board and said second circuit board and attaching said first circuit board to said second circuit board;
- and
- said first fastener including a third electrically conductive portion electrically connecting said first conductive portion of said first circuit board to said first conductive portion of said second circuit board, wherein said first fastener includes a shaft and said third electrically conductive portion includes an electrically conductive head attached to said shaft.
A method of forming an electrical assembly comprising the steps of:
- providing a circuit board with an electrically conductive portion;
- providing a through hole in the electrically conductive portion, and a first through slot and a second through slot formed in the circuit board and each opening into the through hole;
- screwing a threaded member into the through hole;
- and
- causing a deflection of a portion of the circuit board residing between the first through slot and the second through slot, as the threaded member is screwed into the through hole.
An electrical assembly comprising:
- a base;
- a first circuit board disposed on said base;
- said first circuit board including a first electrically conductive portion;
- a second circuit board disposed on said base;
- said second circuit board including a first electrically conductive portion;
- a first fastener located between said first circuit board and said second circuit board and attaching said first circuit board to said second circuit board;
- and
- said first fastener including a third electrically conductive portion electrically connecting said first conductive portion of said first circuit board to said first conductive portion of said second circuit board, wherein said first fastener includes a shaft and said third electrically conductive portion includes an electrically conductive washer disposed around said shaft.
An electrical assembly comprising:
- a circuit board having a first surface;
- a first electrically conductive portion formed on said first surface;
- a through hole formed in said circuit board in said first electrically conductive portion for receiving an electrical connection;
- a first through slot formed in said circuit board and opening into said through hole;
- and
- a second through slot formed in said circuit board and opening into said through hole, wherein a portion of said circuit board residing between said first through slot and said second through slot is flexible.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.