Card Connector Ejector Cam With Vertical Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro SIM card connectors have ejectors with small diameters that are structurally weak, leading to a short lifecycle and potential damage, which limits their usability.
Innovation Solution
A card connector design featuring an insulative housing, metal shell, and an ejector with a cam portion that includes a pivoting portion, first and second arm portions, and positioning portions, which are securely positioned within holes defined in the metal shell and insulative housing, providing structural rigidity and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ejector is miniaturized to fit micro SIM card connectors, then the device size is reduced, but the structural strength of the pivoting portion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the pivoting portion in the vertical dimension (thickness direction) to increase its structural strength. The positioning portions protrude vertically from the pivoting portion, allowing the pivoting portion to engage with positioning holes in both the housing and backplate, creating a three-dimensional reinforcement structure that maintains strength while keeping the ejector compact in plan view.
2Device complexity
If the pivoting portion diameter is reduced to minimize device size, then the device footprint is reduced, but the ejector reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the strength-enhancing features into the vertical dimension rather than increasing the planar diameter. The positioning portions extend vertically to engage with corresponding positioning holes in multiple components, providing reliable positioning and rotational support without increasing the ejector's footprint in the horizontal plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector combines multiple functional portions (pivoting portion, positioning portions, arm portions) with different geometric characteristics to achieve both compact size and high reliability. The positioning portions provide vertical engagement for stability, while the arm portions provide lateral leverage for ejection function.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ejector structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the lifecycle durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector is divided into distinct functional portions (pivoting portion, positioning portions, arm portions) that can be molded as an integrated piece. This segmentation of function within a single component maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring each portion is optimized for its specific role in the ejection mechanism, contributing to overall durability.
Data Source
AI summary
A card connector (100) includes an insulative housing (10), a number of contacts (30) retained in the insulative housing, a metal shell (20) covering the insulative housing for defining a receiving space (60), and an ejector (50) assembled on the insulative housing. The ejector includes a cam portion (51) and a shaft (52) actuating the cam portion. The cam portion includes a pivoting portion (510), a first arm portion (511) and a second arm portion (512) respectively and angularly extending from the pivoting portion, and at least one positioning portion (513) extending from the pivoting portion along a vertical direction. At least one of the metal shell and the insulative housing defines a hole (19, 25) receiving the at least one positioning portion.