Card Edge Connector Offset Soldering Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card edge connectors are not compatible with PCBs having soldering pads offset in the front-to-rear direction, limiting their use and increasing manufacturing and assembly costs due to rigid design requirements.

Innovation Solution

A card edge connector design featuring an insulative housing with offset soldering members, where the first and second soldering members are positioned differently in the front-to-rear direction to accommodate varying soldering pad arrangements on the printed circuit board, utilizing a combination of plastic and metal arms for secure locking and adjustable soldering portions to ensure compatibility and coplanarity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the soldering members are positioned in a fixed symmetric arrangement, then the manufacturing and assembly process is simplified, but the connector cannot accommodate PCBs with offset soldering pads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with offset soldering padsVSAvoidsoldering member positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the first and second soldering members at different distances from their respective end portions along the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the first soldering member is positioned at a first distance from the first end portion, while the second soldering member is positioned at a second distance from the second end portion, where these distances are intentionally made different to create an asymmetric configuration that accommodates offset soldering pads on PCBs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the soldering members adjustable in position. The soldering members are designed to be movable along the longitudinal direction within the housing, allowing their positions to be dynamically adjusted to match different soldering pad arrangements on various PCBs, thereby providing adaptability without requiring completely different connector designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the soldering members are made adjustable to accommodate offset pads, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for variable soldering pad positionsVSAvoidmanufacturing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the connector into modular components: the housing, the soldering members, and the locking arms are separate, independently manufacturable parts. The soldering members are designed as separate components that can be independently positioned and adjusted within the housing, allowing for flexible assembly configurations to accommodate different soldering pad arrangements without requiring complex integrated designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing a single connector housing and locking arm structure that can accommodate multiple configurations of soldering members. The basic connector design remains universal, while the soldering members can be positioned at different locations to adapt to various PCB layouts, providing multi-functionality without requiring multiple specialized connector designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the soldering members are positioned at different distances from end portions, then compatibility with offset pads is achieved, but the symmetry of the connector design is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of offset soldering pad arrangementsVSAvoidsymmetric design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent explicitly embraces asymmetry as a design feature rather than treating it as a deviation from symmetry. The housing and locking arms maintain a generally symmetric appearance, while the soldering members are intentionally positioned asymmetrically at different distances from their respective end portions along the longitudinal direction. This selective asymmetry allows the connector to accommodate offset soldering pads while preserving the overall aesthetic and structural symmetry of the main connector body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS9252511B2Card edge connector with soldering members in different positions

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

A card edge connector for connecting a printed circuit board, includes an insulative housing defining an elongated base portion, a first and a second end portions located on both ends of the base portion and a pair of locking arms respectively extending forwardly from the first and second end portions. A plurality of conductive terminals are received in the insulative housing. A first soldering member is mounted on the first end portion and includes a soldering portion located below the corresponding locking arm. A second soldering member is mounted on the second end portion and includes a soldering portion located below the corresponding locking arm. The distance between the soldering portion of the first soldering member and the first end portion in a front-to-rear direction is different from the distance between the soldering portion of the second soldering member and the second end portion in the front-to-rear direction.