Card Edge Connector Assembly With Guide Module
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card edge connectors face challenges in reliable mating with circuit cards due to misalignment and stress-induced damage from dimensional tolerances and strain during mating, leading to potential damage or breakage of soldered connections.
Innovation Solution
A card edge connector assembly that includes a housing with integrated contacts and a card guide module featuring a base secured to the host circuit board, support beams, and a locking arm to securely position and latch the circuit card, alleviating stress on the connector by transferring it to the host board, and allowing for easy ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a guide module is used to perform guidance of mating the circuit cards with the card edge connector, then alignment may be improved, but dimensional tolerances accumulate in the stack-up of components leading to misalignment or larger gatherability requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The guide module is divided into multiple components (guide rails, locating arms, support beams) that are distributed along the card slot. Each component provides localized guidance and positioning, preventing cumulative tolerance errors from affecting the entire assembly. The segmentation allows each component to be manufactured within tighter tolerances independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide module acts as an intermediary between the circuit card and the card edge connector, providing a mechanical reference framework. The guide rails and locating arms serve as intermediate elements that establish precise positioning relationships, transferring alignment accuracy from the host board to the connector without requiring direct dimensional relationships between all components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the card edge connector is designed to support stand-alone pluggable modules, then versatility is improved, but the connector is subjected to stresses and strains during mating that may damage or break the soldered connections
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding and latching functions are extracted from the card edge connector and placed into a separate guide module. This allows the connector to focus solely on electrical connection, while the guide module handles the mechanical stresses of insertion and removal. The locating arms and locking mechanisms are taken out from the connector structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide module provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing mating stresses through its rigid structure and controlled compliance mechanisms. The locating arms and support beams are designed to withstand insertion forces, protecting the soldered connections of the card edge connector from damage before the card is fully mated.
3Ease of operation
If the locking arm is made pivotable to enable latching and ejection, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is designed to automatically latch when the card is inserted and to enable easy ejection when actuated, without requiring complex control systems. The pivotable design allows the arm to self-adjust to the card position and provide automatic engagement, reducing the need for additional actuators or control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector assembly includes a card edge connector having a housing defining a card slot receiving a circuit card and a card guide module coupled to the housing. The card guide module has a base and a support beam extending from the base having a support surface supporting the circuit card. The card guide module has a locking arm pivotably coupled to the support beam. The locking arm has a latch at a distal end thereof latchably secured to the circuit card in a latched position to secure the circuit card in the card slot. The locking arm has an ejector engaging the circuit card and moving the circuit card in an unmating direction when the locking arm is moved to an unlatched position.