Card Edge Connector Oblique Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card edge connectors have a height that is not low enough to meet current miniaturization requirements in electronic devices, such as thinner laptops.
Innovation Solution
A card edge connector design featuring an insulative housing with a central slot and opposing walls, where first and second terminals are housed in slots and secured by a melted plastic sheet, reducing the overall thickness by allowing for oblique insertion and elastic deformation, thereby minimizing the connector's height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the connector height is reduced to meet miniaturization requirements, then the thickness of the card edge connector decreases, but the structural complexity increases due to the need for oblique insertion and elastic deformation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces oblique insertion capability by designing the central slot and terminals at an angle, transforming the traditional perpendicular insertion approach. This dimensional change allows the connector to achieve lower profile while maintaining functional effectiveness through angular geometry rather than increasing structural complexity in the vertical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portions of the terminals are designed to deform during insertion and operation, providing a dynamic mechanism that enables the connector to accommodate reduced thickness. The elastic deformation allows terminals to flex and return to position, achieving the low-profile goal without requiring overly complex mechanical structures.
2Length of stationary object
If the height of the connector is reduced, then the overall size decreases for miniaturization, but the retention stability of terminals may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a combination of insulative housing material and elastic terminal materials with different mechanical properties. The elastic portions are specifically designed with material properties that provide both flexibility for low-profile configuration and sufficient retention force for stable terminal holding, resolving the contradiction between reduced height and maintained reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portions are designed with curved geometries that allow them to deform elastically during insertion and operation. This curvature enables the terminals to flex within the reduced height space while maintaining contact pressure and retention stability, achieving both miniaturization and reliable terminal retention.
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 achieves a reduced thickness of no more than 2.25 mm, accommodating the need for lower profile connectors in modern electronic devices while ensuring stable retention and resilience of terminals.
Implementation Method 1
a longitudinal plastic sheet is received in recess and melted to fix the first retaining portions to the first wall
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector includes an insulative housing defining a central slot extending forwardly, a first wall and a second wall located on the opposite sides of the central slot and a rear wall connecting the first and second walls. The first wall defines an inner surface, a mounting surface opposite to the inner surface and a plurality of first terminal slots running through the inner surface and the mounting surface, the second wall defines a plurality of second terminal slots. A plurality of first terminals are received in the first terminal slots and includes first retaining portions retained in the first terminal slots. A plurality of second terminals are received in the second terminal slots. The mounting surface defines a recess close to the first retaining portions, a longitudinal plastic sheet is received in recess and melted to fix the first retaining portions to the first wall.