Electronic – Easy connectable/click system between enclosures

connectorprototyping

I'm planning to make some devices which I want to easily connect together.

Normally cables are used, but I wonder if there exists something like a 'clicable' connector, where the output of one enclosure 'clicks' into the input of another enclosure. Like a connection without or with a very short and solid 'cable'.

Of course I can use a cable from one component/microcontroller from one enclosure to the other, but than I cannot detach them. I want to have a detachable solution, without the excess of a cable.

Pins needed:

  • GND (by default)
  • VCC (that would save an adapter for the second device)
  • TX (to transmit the signal)
  • Maybe RX (for some acknowledgement, but maybe not necessary because of the short distance).

So 3 pins would do probably.

The transmission speed is probably 250 kbs, but maybe I extend it later to 1 mbps max.

Best Answer

3 Formats come to mind:

1 - Pogos and magnets

enter image description here (Image is from http://www.foxlink.com/)

When you mentioned "click" the magnet action came to mind. This is the least exerted force one, and also easiest to unplug. Not very dense, a bit expensive.

Some examples of products which use this are LitteBits and the old Macbook charger.

2 - Board to board / Mezzanine connectors

This is probably the highest density option, missing the "click" action. Potentially the stiffest connection.

enter image description here

(Image is from http://www.hirose.com/)

3 - Edge connectors

I bet you remember these? They are cheap on the PCB side (and I personally have found to be expensive on the connector side unless you use PCI-express). Also missing the "click" factor.

enter image description here (Image from Wiki Commons)

Other alternatives

Or just use pin headers protruding from the enclosure. I've also done a short-term project with springs and magnets in cheap a pogo-ish way - very cheap and has the "click" action.

Also, as in the MacBook charger, if you get at least N*2-1 connections, you can make the connector orientation indifferent. (As in, instead of VCC, GND, TX, you do VCC, GND, TX, GND, VCC, so you can flip it.)

Related Topic