Card Edge Connector Ground Contact for Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card edge connector systems experience signal loss and compromised signal integrity at the transition through the connector and a printed circuit card hard edge.
Innovation Solution
The card edge connector system incorporates a socket body with elongated spring elements that form flexible spring fingers, which grip the edge of the printed circuit card to establish reliable electrical connections, while alignment notches ensure proper orientation and contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional card edge connector design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but signal loss increases and signal integrity deteriorates at the connector transition
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a socket body portion and a circuit card portion, each with specific alignment features (notches, protrusions) that work together to reduce signal loss at transition points while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment notches and protrusions serve as intermediary features that mediate between the socket body and circuit card, ensuring precise positioning and reducing signal integrity issues caused by misalignment, without requiring complete redesign of the connector structure
2Reliability
If spring fingers are made more flexible to improve contact, then electrical connection reliability improves, but contact stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The spring fingers are designed with controlled flexibility to dynamically adapt to card edge variations while maintaining stable contact. The elastic properties allow the fingers to flex into proper contact positions and return to stable equilibrium, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for reliable connection and stability for consistent contact
3Reliability
If alignment features are added to reduce signal loss, then signal integrity improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment features (notches, protrusions) are merged into the existing socket body and circuit card structures rather than being added as separate components. This integration achieves improved signal integrity through better alignment while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of separate alignment mechanisms
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
This design significantly reduces signal loss and improves signal integrity by ensuring secure contact between the spring fingers and the card's signal patterns, maintaining effective data and ground signal paths.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spring elements positioned in the socket body configured to flex inwardly in the socket to grip the printed circuit card
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector system includes a socket body 12 forming a socket 14 having opposing sides 16 and a bottom 19. A plurality of spring elements 20 are positioned along at least one of the opposing sides of the socket and form a plurality of spring fingers 22 flexing inwardly in the socket. A ground contact 40 is positioned on the bottom of the socket 14 and includes a spring finger 42 configured for flexing upwardly in the socket. A printed circuit board 26 having opposing sides 36, 38 and an edge 46 includes data signal patterns 32, 34 plated on a side of the board for handling a data signal. A ground pattern 62 is plated on each of the opposing sides of the board and a ground pattern 64 is plated on an edge of the board. Other ground layers 66 are positioned within the printed circuit board and electrically coupled with the ground patterns on the opposing sides and the ground pattern 64 on the edge of the board so that when the printed circuit board is received in the socket, the spring fingers engages the data signal pattern and the spring finger of the ground contact engages the edge of the board.