Card Edge Connector Board Fastener Assembly Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face issues with dimensionality, strength, and retention force, particularly due to fragile locking tabs and overlong hold-down devices that complicate assembly and are not suitable for space-limited applications.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector features a board fastener with a non-destructive limit abutment structure, including latching elastic arms and interference protruding-blocks, which allows for robust assembly, mechanical shock resistance, and compact dimensions, along with a limiting structure that enhances retention force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a locking tab is formed by tearing and bending a metal plate, then the locking clip can be assembled to an insulative housing, but the locking tab is easily cracked at the torn position which reduces the strength of the entire locking clip
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab is changed from a torn and bent metal plate structure to an integrally formed structure with optimized geometric parameters. The continuous material flow and optimized cross-sectional shape eliminate stress concentration points while maintaining manufacturability through standard forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking clip is divided into functional segments: the body portion, the locking tab with optimized geometry, and the engagement features. This segmentation allows each part to be designed for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and strength.
2Volume of moving object
If the locking tab is made short and hard, then the locking clip can be compact, but it is easy to wipe the hole wall surface of the insulative housing which causes harmful interference during assembling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab features localized quality variations: the tip portion has specific curvature and surface properties optimized for engagement, while the body portion maintains structural strength. The rounded tip geometry prevents wiping of the housing hole wall during assembly while保持 compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the locking tab hard and short which causes wiping, the design inverts the approach by using a slightly longer tab with optimized curvature and surface characteristics that gently guide assembly without causing interference, achieving both compactness and assembly ease.
3Reliability
If the hold-down device has stops and retention wings arranged in up-down direction with certain distance, then the device can clamp and fix the shoulder, but the entire hold-down device becomes overlong and is not applicable to space-limited connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism transitions from a vertical up-down arrangement to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement. The first and second retention wings are positioned laterally adjacent to each other rather than stacked vertically, maintaining the clamping function while significantly reducing the overall length of the hold-down device for space-limited applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop and retention wing functions are merged into an integrated structure where the retention wings extend from the body in a configuration that combines both stopping and retaining functions in a compact lateral arrangement, eliminating the need for separate vertical stacking of components.
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 solution enables robust and firm assembly of the board fastener on the insulative housing, effectively withstanding mechanical shock and vibration while maintaining a compact dimension and increasing retention force, facilitating easier assembly and improved reliability.
Implementation Method 1
two latching elastic arms extending from both sides of the body portion and having ends thereof respectively to abut against the two top limiting surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an electrical connector. The electrical connector comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of conductive terminals and a board fastener. The insulative housing has a mounting surface and a mating surface on opposite sides in a mating direction and a mounting chamber. The mounting chamber has a top accommodating portion and a bottom accommodating portion extending and penetrating the mounting surface from the top accommodating portion in the mating direction, two side walls defining the mounting chamber each are formed with a top limiting surface and a bottom limiting surface which define the top accommodating portion. The fastener has a mounting section accommodated in the top accommodating portion, an intermediate section extending from the mounting section and accommodated in the bottom accommodating portion and a tail section extending out of the mounting surface of the insulative housing from the intermediate section.