Card Connector Slider Stopper Mechanism for Insertion Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card connectors face issues with improper card insertion, where a strong force can cause the card to ride on the rib or projection, potentially damaging the connector or card, due to limited height and design limitations in known mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A card connector design featuring a housing with a slider and stopper mechanism, including a coil spring and cam pin, which guides the card insertion and prevents improper insertion by using a U-shaped stopper and heart-shaped cam follower to lock the card in place, preventing damage from strong forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rib or projection is provided in the housing to guide the slider and prevent improper insertion, then the card insertion guidance is improved, but when an improperly inserted card is pushed with strong force, the card may ride on the rib or projection causing damage to the connector or card

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard insertion guidanceVSAvoiddamage risk from strong force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is divided into multiple end sections (first end section and second end section) that can independently interact with the card. This segmentation allows different parts of the stopper to perform different functions: guiding proper insertion while preventing damage from strong forces through the space between sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper acts as an intermediary element between the card and the slider. It mediates the interaction by providing guidance through its end sections while absorbing excessive force through the space between sections, protecting the slider and housing from damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the rib height is limited to the slider height, then the structure is simple, but the card can ride on the rib when pushed with strong force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidprotection against improper insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper extends in the height direction beyond the slider, creating a new dimensional feature. The end sections of the stopper protrude higher than the slider, providing an additional level of protection against improper insertion without complicating the base slider structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The space between the end sections of the stopper is designed beforehand to accommodate and absorb excessive force from improper insertion. This pre-designed cushioning space prevents the card from riding on the stopper and causing damage, while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS8851911B2Card connector

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 TE CONNECTIVITY JAPAN GK

AI summary

A card connector for receiving a card is provided. The card connector includes a housing a plurality of contacts, a slider and a stopper. The housing includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a card receiving passageway formed therein. The contacts are secured in the housing. The slider is positioned and slidable between the front wall and the rear wall. The stopper is supported by the slider and includes end sections positioned adjacent to the slider, such that a space is provided between one of the end sections and the slider.