Connecting 2 PCB boards with a hinge type pinhead connector. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: BoKKeR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 08:11:20 pm
content: I am working on a device that will be used in a standing position. It consists of 2 PCBs that are arranged in an "L" shape creating the standing.Where the boards meet I use a 90-degree pinhead connector.The connector holds the boards together and provides connections from one board to the other one. This keeps the PCB fixed 90 degrees. I want to change this I would want the PCBs to be connected together but the same time I would want to be able to bend the two PCBs together while maintaining the connection.The only way I can think of getting this done is by using a ribbon for the signals and adding a hinge that won't carry any signals. Any off to shelf pinhead replacements that can do this?EDIT: Someone offsite mentioned using these 3.5mm jacks. Which might be a good solutionin this setup:I am open to any ideas.

author: Twoflower
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 08:27:49 pm
content: I would go for 'real' hinges and flat ribbon cable. Or if you do the cable routing well you can also use round cables like some laptop hinges do.I personally don't like to run signals/power over a mechanically stressed part. I've seen too many broken connectors.

author: BoKKeR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 08:31:25 pm
content: I am looking for real hinges that would fit on a pcb but cant find any. Could you point me in the right direction?

author: Twoflower
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 09:18:30 pm
content: It is a bit hard to provide anything without knowing more details. There's not even any dimension given. Which forces are present? Do the hinge needs to hold the PCB in place (like a Laptop screen or loose like a door)? Should the hinge stop at 90° or is there any other mechanism that doing this 90° alignment? Detachable hinges? Questions over questions ;-)Probably you won't find any hinges specialized for PCBs but these look rather nice:http://www.cta-dichtungen.de/live/Scharniere-Anschraubscharniere-Stiftscharniere/scharniere.aspx(sorry, the page seems in German only). Depending on the forces and requirements it might be beneficial to add a counter-plate to strengthen the connection PCB-hinge.But to be honest I'm not an expert for hinges (or any other mechanical stuff).

author: BoKKeR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 10:13:37 pm
content: The main board is about 10x10cm and the second one is around 4x4cm. I cant use a big hinge like those because it would butcher the PCB and I can't find any smaller hinges on the market. Maybe some kind of DIY soldered hinge would work the best. I would like the board to be able to close together. The part is for a desk weather station. This way I would be able to adjust the angle how it sits on the table and be able to close it and ship it in an envelope.

author: Twoflower
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2018, 03:12:27 pm
content: How about these:http://www.sugatsune.co.uk/s.nl/sc.34/category.64816/.fEspecially the HG-TA series might be nice as the PCBs can be mounted to be in the inside of the closed setup. But you might need a small cut-out area at the corner of the PCB were the axis is.For alternatives: Feed your search engine with "friction hinges" and use the images to get some ideas. That's what I did ;-)

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2018, 12:00:06 pm
content: There are some pivots that can be used to hinge PCBs.I've seen them but a quick search did not turn them up.They are made by the companies that make the PCB solderable thread inserts, screws, little pillars and the like.If I can find them I'll post a link.Edit - some nylon ones.http://www.rafhdwe.com/catalog?page=search&cid=root&query=hinge&cdskeys=hinge

author: KrudyZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2018, 07:51:11 pm
content: Have a look at this:http://www.nanobeam.us/They pave pivot joints that would allow you to do what you are looking for.

author: BoKKeR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2018, 01:29:48 pm
content: I have looked through the links but they all seem too bulky. I found, on the other hand, this one but it is a live hinge.https://www.rapidonline.com/affix-pcb-hinges-pack-of-100-33-2050another option is making it out of PCB parts like this:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/macetech/rgb-led-shadesbut it seems that there is not really an industry standard solution to this. some more things come up when I google "lid support". Maybe the 3.5mm jack is not that bad after all.molex have this on their site:https://www.molex.com/tnotes/fine/hinged.htmlbut I cant find it anywhere.EDIT: I found this:https://www.softei.com/board-to-board-connectors-rotate-on-the-pcb/#prettyPhoto/0/

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2018, 02:10:03 pm
content: https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/keystone-electronics/351/36-351-ND/27423

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2018, 02:53:45 am
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on April 01, 2018, 02:10:03 pmThose were the ones I recalled but could not remember who made them.