Patent Description:
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are formed during a manufacturing process, and then often later modified to add components, such as surface-mounted processors and other components. Some components are added to PCBs by adding solder to create electrical connections. Other components may be added by bolting through apertures formed through a thin side of a PCB, which is typically less than a few millimeters thick. Both of these processes add weight to the overall system and add bulk by increasing an overall volume of the PCB, and in particular, a thickness of the finished PCB. <CIT> discloses a circuit board and method for low profile wire connection with solder via a through hole. <CIT> discloses PCBs that are interconnected by flexible strip connectors or jumpers that are soldered to the PCB in one step with other SMD components.

This disclosure is directed to printed circuit boards (PCBs) that include one or more embedded lateral connectors, which may be used to couple components to the PCB. The connectors (also referred to as an "interface" or a "coupler") may be formed as apertures configured to receive a plug or other corresponding solid connector (i.e., female connectors), as plugs configured to engage connector receptacles (i.e., male connectors), or a combination of both. Unlike conventional connectors that engage a PCB through a top or bottom surface, the connectors described herein are positioned in the lateral sides of the PCB and thus can project into the PCB on the order of millimeters or centimeters since PCBs have larger width and length than a thickness. Typically, a thickness of a PCB is just a few millimeters in most situations. The connector(s) may be used for data transfer, for supply of power, and/or for other electronic functions.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, layers used to form a PCB may be formed with one or more apertures or cutouts on some layers to accommodate placement of the embedded lateral connector(s) between at least some of the layers. The apertures may be formed by die cuts or removing material in other ways (e.g., milling, etc.), formed by printing each layer to exclude material in locations to form the aperture(s), or by other known techniques to form a layer with at least one aperture. A PCB may be formed using the layers. For example, an inner layer may be formed that includes a first planar side and a second planar side opposite the first planar side. A connector may be coupled to the inner layer such that an aperture with a longitudinal axis is oriented parallel with the first planar surface. An opening of the connector may be aligned with a side of the inner layer. The connector may create an electrical connection between the inner layer and contacts included in the connector that are configured to engage a plug. In other embodiments, the connector may be a plug, but may be formed in a similar manner. Next, a set of layers may be coupled to the first planar side of the inner layer and another set of layers may be coupled to the second planar side of the inner layer. The layers may then be adhered (e.g., glued, laminated, cured, etc.) to form a PCB having the connector embedded laterally in the PCB.

The apparatuses and techniques described herein may be implemented in a number of ways. Example implementations are provided below with reference to the following figures.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a pictorial flow diagram describing an illustrative process to create an electronic device with a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes an embedded lateral connector. The embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are not encompassed by the wording of the claims but are considered as useful for understanding the invention. The process is illustrated as a collection of blocks in a logical flow graph, which represent a sequence of operations. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blocks can be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the process.

<FIG> shows an illustrative process <NUM>. At <NUM>, an inner layer <NUM> may be formed. The inner layer <NUM> may include a planar layer <NUM> having a top planar side and a bottom planar side. The layer may include etched or otherwise formed metallic connections on the top planar side, the bottom planar side, or both. The layers, including the planar layer <NUM>, may be formed of insulator material, such as fiberglass (reinforces epoxy resin), plastic, or other material commonly used to form PCBs, and may include conductive materials, such as copper foil or other metallic foil or material. The planar layer <NUM> may include an aperture or special feature that accommodates coupling of a connector <NUM> to the planar layer <NUM> such that at least part of the connector occupies space within the plane of the planar layer <NUM>, which is referred to herein as an aperture or special feature. In some embodiments, the layers may be formed by an additive manufacturing process that utilizes three-dimensional (3D) printing. The additive manufacturing process may omit or refrain from adding material in certain areas to form apertures or special features. In some embodiments, the layers may be machined, die cut, or otherwise processed to remove material to form the apertures or special features. The connector may be coupled to the inner layer such that a longitudinal axis of the connector is oriented parallel with the top planar surface. If the connector includes an aperture, an opening of the connector may be aligned with a side of the inner layer. The connector may create an electrical connection between the inner layer and contacts included in the connector that are configured to engage another connector, such as a plug or complementary recess (if the connector is a plug).

At <NUM>, additional layers may be formed to create a PCB. Top layers <NUM> and bottom layers <NUM> may be created, such as using same or similar techniques used to form the planar layer <NUM> described above. The layers may include etched or otherwise formed metallic connections on a top side, a bottom side, or both of each layer. In some embodiments, the top layers <NUM> and bottom layers <NUM> may be mirrored versions of one another. At least some of the top layers <NUM> may include first apertures <NUM> while at least some of the bottom layers <NUM> may include second apertures <NUM>, which may be a mirrored version of the first apertures <NUM>. The first apertures <NUM> and the second apertures <NUM> may accommodate the volume of the connector, which may reside in a cavity formed by the apertures after assembly of the layers with the inner layer <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the top layers <NUM>, the inner layer <NUM> and the bottom layers <NUM> may be assembled such as by stacking the layers on top of one another. When assembled the first apertures <NUM> and the second apertures <NUM> may be in alignment and may accommodate the connector <NUM>, which may be situated between at least some of the layers and at least partly with the apertures.

At <NUM>, the layers may be adhered (e.g., glued, laminated, cured, etc.) together to form a PCB <NUM> that includes an embedded lateral connector <NUM>.

<FIG> shows additional processes <NUM> that may be performed on the PCB <NUM> or with the PCB <NUM>.

At <NUM>, conventional components <NUM> may be coupled to a top surface of the PCB <NUM>, a bottom surface of the PCB <NUM>, or both. The conventional components <NUM> may be coupled by solder, by threaded connectors that extend through apertures that extend through all layers of the PCB <NUM> in the planar surface of the PCB <NUM>, and/or by other convention techniques. The components may include capacitors, controllers, resistors, pin connectors, and/or other types of conventional components.

At <NUM>, a component <NUM> may be coupled to the embedded lateral connector <NUM>. The component <NUM> may include a complementary connector <NUM> that is complementary to the embedded lateral connector <NUM> that, when joined or coupled to the embedded lateral connector <NUM>, creates an electrical connection between the PCB <NUM> and the component <NUM>. The component <NUM> may be a power adapter, another PCB, a display, and/or any other type of electronic component that operates by electrical interaction with the PCB. In some embodiments, the embedded lateral connector <NUM> may include multiple contacts, such as rings or other types of contacts, which may be designated for electrical transmission of different signals. In various embodiments, multiple embedded lateral connectors may be used to couple to the component <NUM>. The multiple embedded lateral connectors may be a same type or may be of different types, which may desirably limit coupling position/orientation with the component <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the PCB <NUM> may be coupled to a housing <NUM> of an electronic device <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may secure the PCB <NUM>, such as by couplers that engage embedded lateral mounting features in the PCB, which are discussed below.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an illustrative PCB <NUM> that includes a plurality of illustrative embedded lateral connectors <NUM> on a first lateral side <NUM>. The embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are not encompassed by the wording of the claims but are considered as useful for understanding the invention. In some embodiments, the PCB <NUM> may include additional embedded lateral connectors on one or more different lateral sides, such as a second lateral side <NUM>, a third lateral side <NUM>, or a fourth lateral side <NUM>. The PCB <NUM> may include a top planar surface <NUM> and a bottom planar surface <NUM> opposite the top planar surface <NUM>. Conventional components <NUM> may be soldered to the top planar surface <NUM> or otherwise coupled thereto.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional top view of the PCB <NUM> shown in <FIG>, showing illustrative details of some embodiments of the embedded lateral connectors. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional top view of the PCB <NUM> may be a cross-sectional view of an inner layer of the PCB, such as the inner layer <NUM> discussed with reference to <FIG>.

The PCB <NUM> may include first connectors <NUM>(<NUM> )-<NUM>(N), which may be plugs or other extrusions of a male-type connector. The first connectors may include tip(s) <NUM> and ring(s) <NUM>, as well as a sleeve, which may be used for grounding purposes. In some embodiments, the first connectors <NUM> may include multiple rings, which may be separated by insulators to enable transmission of different signals. The tip(s) <NUM> and the ring(s) <NUM> include electrical connectivity to an electrical grid formed in layers in the PCB <NUM>, as discussed above. The first connectors <NUM>(<NUM>)- <NUM>(N) may include electrical connection with different layers of the PCB via a first contact <NUM>(<NUM>) and a second contact <NUM>(<NUM>) shown in Detail A, although more contacts may be used depending on factors such as a number or rings of the first connectors <NUM>(<NUM>)-<NUM>(N). In some embodiments, a first contact <NUM>(<NUM>) may include electrical connection with the inner layer while the second contact <NUM>(<NUM>) may include electrical connection with a different layer, possibly an adjacent layer.

The PCB <NUM> may include second connectors <NUM>(<NUM>)-<NUM>(M), which may be apertures or other cavities of a female-type connector. The second connectors <NUM> may include first contact(s) <NUM> and second contact(s) <NUM>, and possibly other contacts, which may engage rings, tips, and/or a sleeve of a corresponding connector (e.g., a plug), which are also shown in Detail B. The first contact(s) <NUM> and second contact(s) <NUM> may be formed as biasing devices (e.g., leaf spring, etc.) to enable repetitive interaction with a corresponding connector, which may cause deflection (compression) of a contact when mated with one of the second connectors <NUM>(<NUM>)-<NUM>(M). In some embodiments, the first contact(s) <NUM> may include electrical connection with the inner layer while the second contact(s) <NUM> may include electrical connection with a different layer, possibly an adjacent later. The second connectors <NUM> include retention features <NUM>, which engage the corresponding connector to secure the corresponding connector to one of the second connectors <NUM>. The contacts <NUM> and <NUM> include electrical connectivity to the electrical grid formed in layers in the PCB <NUM>, as discussed above.

In accordance with some embodiments, the PCB <NUM> may include mounting features <NUM>, which may be embedded in the lateral side of the PCB. The mounting features <NUM> may enable coupling the PCB <NUM> to a housing, frame, mounting bracket, other PCB, or other component. The mounting features <NUM> may include treads or other features to enable corresponding parts to be securely fastened or coupled to the mounting features, such as screws. Besides threaded features, the mounting features may use a snap fit, magnets, friction fit, or other types of coupling features to secure the mounting features to another part.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional top view of the PCB shown in <FIG>, showing illustrative details of embedded lateral connectors having retention features.

The PCB <NUM> may include third connectors <NUM>(<NUM>)-<NUM>(N), which may be plugs or other extrusions of a male-type connector. The third connectors may include tip(s) <NUM> and ring(s) <NUM>, as well as a sleeve, which may be used for grounding purposes. At least some of the rings <NUM> may be formed as biased rings or springs, which may deflect upon entry into a corresponding connector, and then engage a corresponding recess to retain the third connector in the corresponding connector. For example, the third connectors may be similar to "banana plugs". In some embodiments, the third connectors <NUM> may include multiple rings, which may be separated by insulators to enable transmission of different signals. The tip(s) <NUM> and the ring(s) <NUM> include electrical connectivity to an electrical grid formed in layers in the PCB <NUM>, as discussed above.

The PCB <NUM> may include fourth connectors <NUM>(<NUM>)-<NUM>(M), which may be apertures or other cavities of a female-type connector. The fourth connectors <NUM> may include first contact(s) <NUM> and second contact(s) <NUM>, and possibly other contacts, which may engage rings, tips, and/or a sleeve of a corresponding connector (e.g., a plug). The second contacts <NUM> may be formed as a recess to act as retention features, which may engage the corresponding biased rings or springs to secure the corresponding connector to one of the fourth connectors <NUM>. The contacts <NUM> and <NUM> include electrical connectivity to the electrical grid formed in layers in the PCB <NUM>, as discussed above.

In accordance with some embodiments, the PCB <NUM> having the third connectors <NUM>, the forth connectors <NUM>, and/or any other connectors described herein, may include the mounting features <NUM>, which may be embedded in the lateral side of the PCB. The mounting features <NUM> may enable coupling the PCB <NUM> to a housing, frame, mounting bracket, other PCB, or other component. The connectors described herein may include any of the contacts <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>, and/or <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional top view of the PCB shown in <FIG>, showing illustrative details of some embedded lateral connectors having different retention features.

The PCB <NUM> may include fifth connectors <NUM>(<NUM>)-<NUM>(N), which may be plugs or other extrusions of a male-type connector. The fifth connectors may include tip(s) <NUM> and ring(s) <NUM>, as well as a sleeve, which may be used for grounding purposes. At least some of the rings <NUM> may include directional barbs or securing features, which may enable entry into a corresponding connector, and then engage a sidewall or corresponding features or recesses to retain the fifth connector in the corresponding connector. In some embodiments, the fifth connectors <NUM> may include multiple rings, which may be separated by insulators to enable transmission of different signals. The tip(s) <NUM> and the ring(s) <NUM> include electrical connectivity to an electrical grid formed in layers in the PCB <NUM>, as discussed above.

The PCB <NUM> may include sixth connectors <NUM>(<NUM>)-<NUM>(M), which may be apertures or other cavities of a female-type connector. The sixth connectors <NUM> may include first contact(s) <NUM> and second contact(s) <NUM>, and possibly other contacts, which may engage rings, tips, and/or a sleeve of a corresponding connector (e.g., a plug). The second contacts <NUM> may include retention features, which may engage corresponding rings features, such as the directional barbs or securing features discussed with relation to the rings <NUM> to secure the corresponding connector to one of the sixth connectors <NUM>. The contacts <NUM> and <NUM> include electrical connectivity to the electrical grid formed in layers in the PCB <NUM>, as discussed above.

In accordance with some embodiments, the PCB <NUM> having the fifth connectors <NUM>, the sixth connectors <NUM>, and/or any other connectors described herein, may include the mounting features <NUM>, which may be embedded in the lateral side of the PCB. The mounting features <NUM> may enable coupling the PCB <NUM> to a housing, frame, mounting bracket, other PCB, or other component. The connectors described herein may include any of the contacts <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>, and/or <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> a schematic diagram of a first configuration <NUM> of a connector <NUM> that includes a wedge <NUM> inserted into a tip of the connector <NUM>. A second configuration <NUM> of the connector <NUM> shows the wedge <NUM> pushed into the connector <NUM> along a seam to expand a diameter <NUM> of the tip, which flares or expands to secure the connector in a corresponding connector or receptacle, such as the corresponding connector discussed with reference to <FIG>, below.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional top view of the PCB shown in <FIG>, showing illustrative details of some embedded lateral connectors utilizing a wedge retention feature for use with the connector shown in <FIG>.

The PCB <NUM> may include seventh connectors <NUM>(<NUM>)-<NUM>(M), which may be apertures or other cavities of a female-type connector. The seventh connectors <NUM> may include first contact(s) <NUM> and second contact(s) <NUM>, and possibly other contacts, which may engage rings, tips, and/or a sleeve of a corresponding connector, such as the second configuration <NUM> of the connector <NUM> that includes the wedge <NUM> inserted into the seam (as shown in <FIG>). The second contacts <NUM> may be formed as a recess to act as retention features that engage the diameter <NUM> of the tip, to secure the corresponding connector to one of the seventh connectors <NUM>. The contacts <NUM> and <NUM> include electrical connectivity to the electrical grid formed in layers in the PCB <NUM>, as discussed above.

In accordance with some embodiments, the PCB <NUM> having the seventh connectors <NUM> and/or any other connectors described herein, may include the mounting features <NUM>, which may be embedded in the lateral side of the PCB. The mounting features <NUM> may enable coupling the PCB <NUM> to a housing, frame, mounting bracket, other PCB, or other component. The connectors described herein may include any of the contacts <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>, and/or <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a sealed connector pair <NUM> that secures a wire <NUM> to a PCB <NUM>. The sealed connector pair <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, which may be coupled to a collar <NUM>. The collar <NUM> may retain a sleeve <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> may retain a gasket <NUM>, among other internal parts shown in <FIG>, below. The sealed connector pair <NUM> may enable connection of the wire <NUM> to electrical components of the PCB <NUM>, while preventing or reducing exposure by the PCB <NUM> to environmental conditions, such as dirt, moisture, and/or other contamination.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the sealed connector shown in <FIG>. As shown, the wire <NUM> may engage a connector <NUM>, which may create an electrical connection with a connector <NUM> via contacts <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may receive the wire <NUM> and retain the wire, at least in part by friction, a press fit, and/or by retaining features, such as barbs. The connector <NUM> may abut a first seal <NUM> positioned between the connector <NUM>, the sleeve <NUM>, and the housing <NUM>. A second seal <NUM> may be positioned between the sleeve <NUM>, the wire <NUM>, and the gasket <NUM>. The seals <NUM> and <NUM> may prevent or reduce exposure by the connector <NUM> of the PCB <NUM> to environmental conditions, such as dirt, moisture, and/or other contamination. Meanwhile, the sleeve <NUM> may be coupled to the collar <NUM> by clips, snap features, and/or other features to retain the sleeve, and retain the wire <NUM> in the connector <NUM>. During use, the wire <NUM> may be coupled to the connector <NUM>, the sleeve <NUM>, seals <NUM> and <NUM>, and the gasket <NUM> to form an assembly. The assembly may then be inserted through the housing <NUM> and into the connector <NUM> until the sleeve couples to the collar <NUM>, thereby securing or retaining the wire <NUM> in the connector <NUM>.

<FIG> show perspective views of different components coupled to embedded lateral connectors. <FIG> shows a PCB <NUM> that includes embedded lateral connectors <NUM>. For example, the embedded lateral connectors <NUM> may include a first set of embedded lateral connectors <NUM> and a second set of embedded lateral connectors <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first set of embedded lateral connectors <NUM> may be a different type of connector than the second set of embedded lateral connectors <NUM>, such as male-type connectors versus female-type connectors, or selected from any other type of connector described above. <FIG> also shows a first component <NUM> and a second component <NUM> configured to be coupled to the first set of embedded lateral connectors <NUM> and the second set of embedded lateral connectors <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> shows the PCB <NUM> coupled to the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM>. The first component <NUM> is coupled to the first set of embedded lateral connectors <NUM> while the second component <NUM> is coupled to the second set of embedded lateral connectors <NUM>.

<FIG> show perspective views of PCBs electrically connected using embedded lateral connectors.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a first assembly <NUM> of PCBs, including a first PCB <NUM> and a second PCB <NUM>. The first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM> may include one or more embedded lateral connectors <NUM>, as described above. The first PCB <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second PCB <NUM> by coupling first embedded lateral connectors of the first PCB <NUM> directly to second embedded lateral connectors of the second PCB <NUM>. By connecting PCBs in this manner, the PCBs may exchange information and/or electrical signals and may possibly operate in a similar way as a larger PCB that encompasses all components and circuitry of the first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM>. In some embodiments, the embedded lateral connectors may operate as a multi-pin connector to facilitate exchange of different signals between the first and second PCB. Additional PCBs may be connected to additional embedded lateral connectors on the first or second PCB.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a second assembly <NUM> of PCBs in a stacked configuration, including the first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM>. The first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM> may include one or more embedded lateral connectors <NUM>, as described above. The first PCB <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second PCB <NUM> by coupling first embedded lateral connectors of the first PCB <NUM> to second embedded lateral connectors of the second PCB <NUM> using an adapter <NUM>. The adapter <NUM> may include a first adapter end <NUM> and a second adapter end <NUM> that each include connectors configured to couple to respective embedded lateral connectors <NUM> of the first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM>, respectively. By connecting PCBs in this manner, the PCBs may exchange information and/or electrical signals and may possibly operate in a similar way as a larger PCB that encompasses all components and circuitry of the first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM>. In some embodiments, the embedded lateral connectors may operate as a multi-pin connector to facilitate exchange of different signals between the first and second PCB. Additional PCBs may be connected to additional embedded lateral connectors on the first or second PCB.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a third assembly <NUM> of PCBs in a stacked and coupled configuration, including the first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM>. In various embodiments, the first PCB <NUM>, the second PCB <NUM>, or both may include spacers <NUM> on the planar surfaces of the PCBs. The spacers <NUM> may create an offset between adjacent PCBs and/or may couple the PCBs, such as by engaging in corresponding features. The first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM> may include one or more embedded lateral connectors <NUM>, as described above. The first PCB <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second PCB <NUM> by coupling first embedded lateral connectors of the first PCB <NUM> to second embedded lateral connectors of the second PCB <NUM> using the adapter <NUM>. The adapter <NUM> may include a first adapter end <NUM> and a second adapter end <NUM> that each include connectors configured to couple to respective embedded lateral connectors <NUM> of the first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM>, respectively. By connecting PCBs in this manner, the PCBs may exchange information and/or electrical signals and may possibly operate in a similar way as a larger PCB that encompasses all components and circuitry of the first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM>. In some embodiments, the embedded lateral connectors may operate as a multi-pin connector to facilitate exchange of different signals between the first and second PCB. Additional PCBs may be connected to additional embedded lateral connectors on the first or second PCB.

In accordance with various embodiments, an electronic device ma include a housing, a PCB, a connector, and a component. The PCB may include a plurality of layers, each layer having a planar side that mates with an adjacent layer of the plurality of layers. The PCB may include a connector embedded between at least some of the layers. The connector may be oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the connector is parallel with the planar side. The connector may be configured to receive a corresponding connector to create an electrical connection to at least some of the plurality of layers via the connector. The component may be coupled to the PCB by the connector.

In various embodiment, the component is a different PCB. The PCB and the different PCB may be arranged in a stacked configuration, possibly using the spaces to create an offset between the PCBs and/or couple the PCBs to one another.

The electronic device may include a power source. The electrical connection may include connection to the power source.

The electronic device may include mounting features coupled to a lateral side of the PCB and at least partly located between at least some of the plurality of layers. The mounting feature may include an aperture and coupling features to facilitate coupling to the housing. For example, screws may retain the PCB to the housing via the mounting features.

In some embodiments, the connector includes an aperture, and an opening of the aperture aligns with a lateral side PCB. The connector may be configured to engage a corresponding connector. The aperture may include at least partially concave sidewalls that form recesses to retain a plug. A seal may be positioned adjacent to the opening of the aperture and adjacent to a lateral side of the PCB. The seal may prevent environmental debris from entering an aperture of the connector.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the connector may include an elongated body that extends outward and beyond a lateral side of the PCB. The elongated portion may include a tip and at least one ring. The PCB may include a second connector embedded between at least some of the layers. The second connector may be oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the second connector is parallel with the planar side. The second connector may be configured to receive a different corresponding connector to create a different electrical connection to at least some of the plurality of layers via the second connector. The first connector may include a different shape than the second connector.

One or more embodiments disclosed herein may be directed to a method to manufacture a printed circuit board (PCB), where the one or more embodiments disclosed herein may form a plurality of layers, each layer having a planar side that mates with an adjacent layer of the plurality of layers; embed a connector between at least some of the plurality of layers, where the connector may be oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the connector is parallel with the planar side, and configure the connector to receive a corresponding connector, creating an electrical connection to at least some of the plurality of layers via the connector.

Optionally, one or more embodiments disclosed herein may include a connector that includes an aperture, where an opening of the aperture is aligned with a lateral side of the PCB, and where the connector is configured to engage a corresponding connector. Optionally, one or more embodiments disclosed herein may form the aperture to include at least partially concave sidewalls that form recesses to retain a plug. Optionally, one or more embodiments disclosed herein may position a seal adjacent to the opening of the aperture and adjacent to a lateral side of the PCB, the seal to prevent environmental debris from entering an aperture of the connector. Optionally, the connector may include an elongated body that extends outward and beyond a lateral side of the PCB, where the elongated portion includes a tip and at least one ring. Optionally, one or more embodiments disclosed herein may couple a mounting feature to a lateral side of the PCB, the mounting feature being at least partly located between at least some of the plurality of layers and the mounting feature including an aperture and threads to facilitate coupling to a housing. Optionally, the connector may be a first connector, and one or more embodiments disclosed herein may embed a second connector between at least some of the plurality of layers, where the second connector is oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the second connector is parallel with the planar side, and where the second connector is configured to receive a different corresponding connector to create a different electrical connection to at least some of the plurality of layers via the second connector. Optionally, the first connector may include a different shape than the second connector. Optionally, the electrical connection may be a power connection and the one or more embodiments disclosed herein may configure the connector to receive power from a power source. Optionally, one or more embodiments disclosed herein may configure a spacing feature on an outermost layer of the plurality of layers to engage an adjacent PCB having a corresponding feature, where the spacing feature creates a predefined gap between the PCB and the adjacent PCB, and the one or more embodiments disclosed herein may configure the connector to provide electrical connection with the adjacent PCB.

Optionally, one or more embodiments disclosed herein may include an electronic device that includes a housing; a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a plurality of layers, where each layer has a planar side that mates with an adjacent layer of the plurality of layers; a connector embedded between at least some of the plurality of layers, where the connector is oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the connector is parallel with the planar side and where the connector is configured to receive a corresponding connector to create an electrical connection to at least some of the plurality of layers via the connector; and a component coupled to the PCB by the connector.

Optionally, the component may be a different PCB. Optionally, the PCB and the different PCB may be arranged in a stacked configuration. Optionally the device may include a power source, and the electrical connection may include a connection to the power source. Optionally, the device may include a mounting feature coupled to a lateral side of the PCB, the mounting feature at least partly located between at least some of the plurality of layers, and the mounting feature may include an aperture and coupling features to facilitate coupling to the housing.

Claim 1:
A method to manufacture a printed circuit board, PCB, (<NUM>) configured to have components (<NUM>) coupled to a top surface and/or a bottom surface thereof, the method comprising:
forming a plurality of layers (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of insulator material, each layer having a planar side that mates with an adjacent layer of the plurality of layers, one or more layers including formed metallic connections on a top and/or bottom side;
embedding a connector (<NUM>, <NUM>) between at least some of the plurality of layers, the connector oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the connector is parallel with the planar side; and
configuring the connector to receive a corresponding connector, creating an electrical connection to at least some of the plurality of layers via the connector, wherein the connector comprises retention features (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for engaging the corresponding connector to secure the corresponding connector to the connector.