Floating connectors feature a spring-like mechanism that helps them accurately align with a mating connector. The embedded structure of these connectors is used to achieve the movement effect in all X, Y, and Z directions. The guiding mechanism (along the X/Y axes with a tolerance of +/- 1mm) helps achieve a precise connection. In addition, both ends of the male and female connectors are designed with a weld tab design, which increases the soldering strength of the connector on the PCB board.

Feature 1- Embedded structure of floating connectors

The flexible design of the floating connector greatly meets the trends of miniaturization and integration. It can reduce the positional deviation that occurs when the connector is mounted on the substrate or reduce the impact of the tolerance between the substrate and the housing. Because of this, precision defects can easily be solved during assembly, and help to automate PCB assembly creating a more efficient and cost-effective process. At the same time, the combined use of multiple floating connectors also solves the problem of difficulty in precise mating due to multi-point connection tolerances when multiple traditional connectors are installed on a single PCB. In addition, floating connectors absorb the stress caused by misalignment and also the misalignment of non-floating connectors, which is accumulated and transmitted to the PCB, other connectors, and solder joints, which may eventually lead to the failure of the host.

Figure 2: Precision mating and stress-absorbing mechanism of floating connectors

Fool-proof misalignment and tolerance absorption mechanisms make floating connectors a highly reliable product that can meet the needs within the automotive, industrial, consumer, medical and other markets. Especially in recent years, with the recent trend of the electric vehicle market and the shortage within the supply chain of automotive electronics, automotive connectors are very popular. While floating connectors, perfectly adapted to handle vibrations within the vehicle, are widely used in car navigation systems, engine ECUs, audio modules, audio-visual systems, wireless modules, and battery management systems, which naturally attracts the homeopathic layout of major connector manufacturers.

In response to market demand, Greenconn, one of the world's leading connector solution providers, has further broken through the technical difficulties of refinement and miniaturization, and has independently developed a variety of floating board-to-board connectors with different combinations of pitches and heights. These connectors are suitable for a variety of applications due to their ability to maintain a high degree of stability and endow the product with higher performance and cost-effectiveness. In addition, based on the special requirements from customers, Greenconn has successfully customized more than 10 high-stability floating connectors, further expanding the market application.