Card Edge Connector Elastic Grounding Tabs Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card edge connectors face issues with stiff friction between shielding shells and grounding terminals, leading to potential damage, and complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A card edge connector design featuring a longitudinal insulating housing with elastic tabs extending from the grounding sides, contacting grounding terminals, and a grounding member with vertically disposed long sides and short sides, which reduces friction and simplifies assembly by integrating the grounding function within the connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shielding shells with fingers are used to contact grounding terminals, then grounding function is provided, but stiff friction occurs and engagement is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid shielding shell fingers with flexible elastic tabs that extend from the grounding member. These elastic tabs can deform elastically during assembly and operation, allowing them to contact grounding terminals without creating stiff friction that would damage the engagement. The elastic deformation capability absorbs mechanical stress and prevents wear damage while maintaining reliable electrical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the grounding contact elements by using elastic tabs with specific material properties and geometric designs. The tabs are designed with appropriate thickness, width, and length to provide the right balance between contact pressure and flexibility. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient electrical contact while minimizing friction-induced damage to the grounding terminals.
2Speed
If grounding member with elastic tabs is used, then transmission speed meets PCI-e 4.0 specifications, but connector dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding member is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the grounding electrical connection through elastic tabs contacting grounding terminals, acts as a shielding structure for signal integrity, and serves as a structural support element within the connector housing. By integrating these functions into a single component, the design achieves PCI-e 4.0 transmission speed requirements without proportionally increasing connector dimensions, as the same structural element performs multiple roles.
3Strength
If grounding member extends along longitudinal direction under mating slot, then structural strength is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the grounding member with the insulating housing assembly by integrating the grounding member into the housing structure. The grounding member is positioned and retained within the housing, with its longitudinal extension along the mating slot providing structural reinforcement. This merging of components allows the grounding member to serve as both an electrical grounding element and a structural support, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining enhanced structural strength.
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 enhances the connector's transmission speed to meet PCI-e 4.0 specifications, reduces the connector's overall dimension, and improves structural strength while providing superior protection and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of elastic tabs extends from said upper edge and contacting with corresponding grounding terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector includes an insulating housing defining a mating slot, two rows of terminals and a grounding member. Each row of terminals includes grounding terminals and signal terminals. The grounding member includes a first grounding bar and a second grounding bar each defining an upper edge and a lower edge. A plurality of elastic tabs extends from the upper edge and contacting with corresponding grounding terminals. The first and second grounding sides are disposed vertically in a bottom and at an outer side of corresponding row of terminals, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing under a condition that the upper edges of the grounding sides are disposed below the inner bottom face of the mating slot. The upper edges are located below the inner bottom face of the mating slot.