Card Edge Connector Locking Assembly for Airgap-Free Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card edge connectors in communication systems suffer from signal degradation due to airgaps caused by the middle portions of the overmolds moving or pivoting during mating with circuit cards, leading to reduced contact density and data throughput.
Innovation Solution
A card edge connector design featuring a contact assembly with an organizer having a central wall and upper and lower platforms, where the contact arrays are held by contact holders with locking tabs, and a locking device secures the upper and lower contact holders together, preventing separation and rotation during mating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a contact overmold is used to hold the contacts relative to each other and relative to the housing, then the contacts are securely positioned, but the middle portions of the overmolds may move or pivot during mating, leading to airgaps that degrade signal integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The contact assembly is divided into an upper contact holder and a lower contact holder, each secured independently to the organizer with locking tabs. This segmentation prevents the middle portions from moving or pivoting as a single unit, eliminating airgaps while maintaining contact alignment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking tabs are pre-formed on the contact holders, and the locking device is engaged before the mating operation occurs. This preliminary securing action ensures that the contact holders are firmly fixed to the organizer prior to mating, preventing any movement or pivoting during the mating process that would create airgaps.
2Stability of the object's composition
If large sections of the contacts are rigidly fixed within the connector housing, then the contacts maintain stable positioning, but the middle portions of the overmolds may still move or pivot during mating, creating airgaps
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid fixing is segmented into multiple attachment points: the upper contact holder is secured at its first side and second side to the organizer, and the lower contact holder is similarly secured at its first side and second side. This multi-point segmentation prevents middle portion movement while maintaining stable contact positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper contact holder and lower contact holder are merged into a single integrated assembly through the locking device that secures them together. This combined structure ensures that both holders move as a unified unit, eliminating relative movement between them and preventing airgap formation during mating.
3Productivity
If the contact density and data throughput are increased, then the connector capability is improved, but the signal integrity may be compromised due to airgaps from overmold movement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device secures the upper and lower contact holders to the organizer before the high-speed data transmission begins. This preliminary fixation ensures that no airgaps are present during the mating operation, maintaining signal integrity even when high contact density is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact holders are segmented and independently secured to the organizer, preventing any pivoting or movement that would create airgaps. This segmentation allows the connector to maintain high contact density for improved data throughput while ensuring each contact remains firmly positioned for signal integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A contact assembly includes an organizer having an organizer slot configured to receive a card edge of a circuit card. The contact assembly includes upper and lower contact arrays coupled to the central wall. The upper contact array includes upper contacts held by an upper contact holder. The lower contact array includes lower contacts held by a lower contact holder. The upper contact holder includes an upper locking tab and the lower contact holder includes a lower locking tab. The contact assembly includes a locking device coupled to the upper locking tab and the lower locking tab to secure the upper contact holder to the lower contact holder.