Card Edge Connector Narrow Latch Structure for Vibration Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Card edge connectors with narrower latches face challenges in maintaining secure connections due to vibration and other operating conditions, leading to potential disconnection issues, especially with narrower latch designs that do not comply with industry standards for width and stability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a latch with a recess configured to receive the tower's extension, a reinforcing member between the tower body and extension, and specific surface features like grooves and bulges to enhance stability and secure locking without increasing the transverse dimensions, ensuring reliable operation and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the latch width is reduced to meet narrow-latch standards, then the connector size is reduced, but the connection stability deteriorates under vibration and operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional width reduction approach to a three-dimensional engagement solution. The latch head engages the tower extension through vertical insertion into a recess, creating a multi-dimensional locking mechanism that maintains stability without increasing lateral width. This dimensional shift allows the narrow latch to achieve secure engagement through depth rather than breadth.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch head is nested within the tower structure through the recess engagement. The upper portion of the latch head containing the recess receives the tower extension, creating a nested configuration where one component fits within another. This nesting provides secure mechanical interlocking while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If the latch width is reduced, then the connector compactness is improved, but the locking security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism shifts from lateral width-based security to vertical depth-based security. The recess in the latch head receives the tower extension vertically, creating a deep engagement that provides locking security without increasing the lateral dimensions of the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the engagement parameters from width-dependent to depth-dependent locking. By designing the recess depth and tower extension length to provide sufficient engagement distance, the locking security is maintained through altered geometric parameters rather than increased width.
3Ease of manufacture
If a narrow latch design is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the resistance to vibration-induced disconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration of the latch head within the tower extension provides inherent vibration resistance. The recess engagement creates a mechanically interlocked structure that resists vibrational forces attempting to disengage the connection, while the compact nested design maintains manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical engagement dimension provides vibration resistance without increasing lateral size. The deep recess insertion creates a locking geometry that resists vibrational disconnection forces through the vertical engagement path, maintaining both narrow profile and vibration resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector that provides reliable performances while satisfying smaller dimensions required by industry standards. The connector has a housing holding terminals. The housing has a body, a tower narrower than the body, and a slot extending from the body to the tower. The tower has a tower body protruding from an end of the body of the housing and an extension protruding from the tower body away from the slot. The connector has a latch pivotably connected to the housing. The latch has a recess configured to receive the extension of the tower. The connector has a reinforcing member between the tower body and the extension. Such a configuration enables the tower and/or the latch to be narrower such that more components can be disposed in a system in which the connector is disposed, while strong enough to sustain various operating conditions of the system.