Card Edge Connector Locking for Board Skew and Pivot Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card edge connectors often inhibit desirable movement of printed circuit boards once locked in place, particularly when connected through a riser board, due to latch designs that hold the boards perpendicular, preventing skew adjustment and floating motion.
Innovation Solution
A card edge connector with a compliant locking member integrally formed within the housing, featuring a protrusion that deflects to lock the board in place while allowing pivot movement, even with skew, using a locking mechanism that includes a baffle and elongated arm to secure the board without restricting movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional latch designs are used to lock the board in place, then the board is securely retained, but the board's movement freedom is restricted and skew adjustment is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed as a compliant, deflectable component rather than a rigid latch. It can dynamically adjust its position to allow board insertion and skew accommodation, then lock when engaged. This dynamic behavior enables the system to provide both secure retention and movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member's physical state changes from a deflectable, non-locking position during insertion to a locked position that secures the board. This parameter change allows the same component to accommodate movement during assembly while providing reliable retention during operation.
2Reliability
If rigid locking structures are used to secure the board, then stable electrical connections are maintained, but skew and misalignment cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is implemented as a flexible, compliant component that can deflect to accommodate skew and misalignment between boards. This flexibility allows the system to tolerate manufacturing variations while still providing secure electrical connections through the contact elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant locking member can dynamically adjust its position to accommodate skew during board insertion and operation, while the contact elements maintain stable electrical connections. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between connection stability and skew tolerance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If friction-based retention is used instead of locking structures, then movement freedom is preserved, but reliable board retention cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant locking member automatically engages with the board during insertion without requiring additional locking actions. It self-adjusts to accommodate skew and then self-locks, providing reliable retention while preserving movement freedom during the assembly process.
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
Enables reliable retention and secure electrical connections while allowing the boards to float and pivot relative to each other, accommodating skew and misalignment, ensuring proper system operation without system failures.
Implementation Method 1
a compliant locking member integrally formed with the housing between a first portion of the array of contacts and a second portion of the array of contacts. The locking member may include a protrusion, and may be deflectable between a first position in which the protrusion extends into a volume aligned with the slot and a second position in which the protrusion is outside the volume aligned with the slot.
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector with a locking system, which may include a locking member integrally formed with a connector housing. The locking member may deflect upon insertion of an edge of a board into the connector and spring back to engage an opening in the board. The locking member and the opening in the board may have perimeters that are rounded, allowing relative rotation about an axis through the opening even though the board is locked within the connector. Such a configuration may provide a simple and secure locking system. Such a configuration may support connecting two parallel boards, each with a card edge connector, through a riser board with opposite ends inserted into the two connectors. Relative rotation of the board with respect to the connectors enables skew, in a direction parallel to the surfaces of the parallel boards, while securing each of those boards to the riser board.