Abstract
Traditional metal cowlings for board‑to‑board connectors in electronic devices may add mass and occupy internal volume. These assemblies often rely on foam compression and multiple screws, which may lead to unpredictable retention forces and increased assembly complexity. Elastomeric retention assembly hardware is disclosed to secure connectors between a flexible circuit and a printed circuit board. The assembly includes an elastomeric band anchored by rigid bars to retention brackets on the circuit board. A stiffener with a convex, parabolic profile is positioned between the elastomer and the connector. This curved geometry facilitates a uniform distribution of downward force across the connector interface when the elastomer is under tension. The use of conductive elastomeric materials further allows for an integrated grounding path. This configuration provides a screwless, low‑profile retention system that reduces component weight and simplifies assembly while maintaining consistent mechanical pressure and electrical shielding.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Hrabchak, Robert; Cavallaro, Alberto; and Hoying, Ethan, "Elastomeric Cowling for PCB Connectors", Technical Disclosure Commons, ()
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/10176