Card Connector EMI Shielding via Metal Casing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card connectors are vulnerable to electromagnetic interference, which can disrupt the operation of expansion cards connected to circuit boards, leading to signal interruptions.

Innovation Solution

A card connector design featuring a long insulating body with conductive terminals, a metal casing for electromagnetic interference protection, and a ejection mechanism with a pivotal connection to securely fix and eject expansion cards, ensuring reliable electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a card connector uses a plastic seat with conductive terminals and an ear buckle mechanism, then the expansion card can be firmly fixed to the circuit board, but electromagnetic interference will seriously influence the operation of the card connector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirm fixation of expansion cardVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a metal shielding shell that envelops the plastic seat and conductive terminals, creating a Faraday cage effect to block electromagnetic interference while allowing the ear buckle mechanism to function normally for securing the expansion card

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines different materials with complementary properties: a non-conductive plastic seat for insulation, conductive terminals for electrical connection, and a conductive metal shielding shell for electromagnetic interference protection, creating a composite structure that addresses multiple requirements simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the card connector is designed with a metal casing for electromagnetic interference protection, then electromagnetic interference is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic interference protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the shielding function directly into the housing structure by making the metal shielding shell form part of the overall connector assembly, where the shell serves both as EMI protection and as a structural component that houses the other elements, rather than adding it as a separate auxiliary component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The card connector effectively prevents electromagnetic interference, ensuring stable operation and secure electrical connections between expansion cards and circuit boards by using a metal casing and ejection device to shield against interference.

Implementation Method 1

a metal casing with a covering function so as to cover the insulating body... capable of preventing electromagnetic interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS7207815B1Card connector

Publication Date: 2007.04.24 LOTES

AI summary

A card connector for connecting an expansion card to a circuit board and including a long insulating body with a central slot and a plurality of conductive terminals. The card connector also includes a metal casing with a covering function covering the insulating body. The metal casing prevents electromagnetic interference.