Card Edge Connector Guide Modules for Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card edge connectors face challenges in reliable mating with circuit cards due to misalignment issues caused by dimensional tolerances and stresses during mating, which can lead to damaged soldered connections.
Innovation Solution
The card edge connector assembly incorporates first and second card guide modules at each end, secured to the host circuit board, featuring locating cavities and surfaces that engage mounting lugs on the connector housing to register the guide modules relative to the housing, providing support beams to guide and support the circuit card, thereby alleviating stress and ensuring proper alignment and secure mating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guidance is performed by a guide module remote from the card edge connector, then the card edge connector can be mounted on the host circuit board, but misalignment occurs due to accumulated dimensional tolerances in the stack-up of components
Solution Approach 1:
The card guide module is merged with the card edge connector housing to form an integrated assembly. The guide module's base is secured to the housing, creating a unified structure that eliminates the separate mounting step and the associated tolerance accumulation. This integration ensures that the guide module and connector housing move as a single unit, maintaining precise alignment between the card slot and the guide surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The card guide module acts as an intermediary between the host circuit board and the card edge connector. It provides intermediate alignment surfaces (first and second alignment surfaces) that interface with both the housing and the circuit card, transferring and distributing alignment tolerances rather than allowing them to accumulate directly between the board and connector.
2Ease of operation
If the card edge connector is subjected to stresses and strains during mating, then the connector can accommodate circuit card insertion, but the soldered connections between the contacts and host circuit board may be damaged or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The card guide module extracts the stress-bearing function from the card edge connector housing. By providing separate guide surfaces and support structures that contact and guide the circuit card during insertion, the guide module absorbs the mechanical stresses and strains of mating, preventing these forces from being transmitted to the soldered connections of the connector contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The card guide module provides beforehand cushioning by establishing contact with the circuit card before the card edge reaches the connector contacts. The guide surfaces and support beams are positioned to absorb insertion forces and guide the card smoothly into place, cushioning the mating process and preventing impact stresses from damaging the solder joints.
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector assembly includes a card edge connector having a housing defining a card slot for a circuit card and having a base mounted to a host circuit board and including mounting lugs having datum surfaces. The assembly includes card guide modules coupled to the housing each having a base secured to the host circuit board and a support beam extending from the base for supporting the circuit card. The base includes a locating cavity that receives the mounting lug and locating surfaces that engage the datum surfaces to register the card guide modules relative to the housing.