PCB packaging arrangement, Connector search

[ddddarkbull]

Hope someone can help with this. I have an application to connect 4 circuit boards together through some board-to-board connectors. The boards arrangement is shown in the attached file. The cards are located inside the avionic box with front panel attached to PCB 1 and the real chassis attached to PCB 2. The concept is to plug PCB 3 and 4 individually into PCB 1. This assembly is then slide through the card guide in the chassis and blind mate to PCB 2. My concern includes the tolerance stack up and it's effect on the reliability of the connection. I also have a concern about the feasibility of blind mating PCB 3 and PCB 4 with their location tolerance variation. I would appreciate if someone can share their experience with this type of PCB packaging scheme and suggest a good connector to use.

I am looking for connectors for this type of application. The connectors should:
-be high density (90 pins in 70 mm length)
-have guide pin for blind mating
-have alignment pin or feature to accurately locate the connector in the PCB.
-have locking feature between mating pair for vibration purpose.
-have mechanical mean to hold down the connector to the circuit board to strain relief the solder joint. (the pair of connector on PCB 1 is surface mounted)
-the connector should tolerate misalignment
-it is mainly signal application with max current of 1A.

I have hard time to find this type of connector.

Thanks in advance.

Darkbull

 

[ScottyUK]

The well-proven DIN 41612 connector series meets many of your requirements, but perhaps not all. What are the shortfalls of that design in your application?

 

[ddddarkbull]

I used DIN connector for rail industry a lot. Not sure if it is qualified for aerospace application. I am not aware DIN connector comes with guide pin for blind mating application. We used DIN connector for EUROCARD type of subrack design.

 

[BrianG]

We have used DIN 41612 connectors in military aerospace applications for years (both fixed wing and rotary wing) without any problems. Although the DIN 41612 series have good mechanical engagement characteristics, it is not a good idea to rely on any connector to provide the mechanical coupling between boards as well as the electrical ones - it's better to have some specific clamping arrangement as well.

 

[ddddarkbull]

Thanks Brian for your response. That's interesting to know that DIN connectors have been used in aerospace application.