Compliant staple pin for connecting multiple printed circuit boards

摘要

Circuit boards are mechanically connected to each other by a U-shaped pin, the legs of which are forcibly inserted into holes along edges of the circuit boards. The holes are conventional through-holes having metal linings that are electrically connected to circuit board traces that extend to components on the circuit boards. The U-shaped pin thus electrically connects components on the two circuit boards to each other.

主权项

1. A method of mechanically connecting first and second circuit boards to each other and which also electrically connects electrical components on the first circuit board to electrical components on the second circuit board, the method comprising:
forming a first through hole adjacent to a first edge of the first circuit board, the first through hole comprising a first metal cylinder that is electrically connected to electrical components on the first circuit board; forming a second through hole adjacent to a second edge of the second circuit board, the first edge being adjacent, spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to the second edge, the second through hole comprising a second metal cylinder that is electrically connected to electrical components on the second circuit board; inserting a first leg of a substantially U-shaped metal pin into the first through hole, by applying a downward force to an upper surface of a first shoulder, which is a localized enlargement of a cross-sectional size of the first leg, the cross-sectional size of the first leg being oriented perpendicularly to a length of the first leg, such that the first leg electrically contacts the first metal cylinder; and inserting a second leg of the substantially U-shaped metal pin into the second through hole, by applying a downward force to an upper surface of a second shoulder, which is a localized enlargement of a cross-sectional size of the second leg, the cross-sectional size of the second leg being oriented perpendicularly to a length of the second leg, such that the second leg electrically contacts the second metal cylinder.