Card Edge Connector Power Contact Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The addition of power contacts to card edge connectors increases impedance and heat production, affecting signal transmission stability due to high current transmission requirements in modern computers.
Innovation Solution
The card edge connector design includes power contacts with securing and tail portions arranged in rows, connected by a securing portion and a connecting portion, which reduces impedance and heat generation by distributing current effectively across multiple channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If power contacts are added to the card edge connector to supply high current, then the current transmission capability is improved, but the impedance of contacts increases and heat production increases, affecting signal transmission stability
Solution Approach 1:
The power contact is divided into multiple contact portions (at least three) arranged in parallel, with each contact portion having its own securing portion. This segmentation distributes the high current across multiple parallel paths, reducing the impedance and heat generation of individual contact portions while maintaining overall high current transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact portions are arranged not only along the length direction but also extend in the width direction of the connector, utilizing two-dimensional spatial distribution. This dimensional arrangement increases the effective contact area and provides multiple parallel current paths, thereby reducing impedance and improving signal stability.
2Power
If multiple power contacts are arranged in parallel to reduce impedance, then the current transmission capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple contact portions are integrated into a single power contact assembly with unified securing portions that are simultaneously retained in the insulative housing. The contact portions are connected through conductive material, merging multiple current paths into one integrated structure that functions as a single power contact unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulative housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, retains the power contact assembly, electrically isolates the conductive elements, and guides the memory card during insertion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Temperature
If power contacts with multiple contact portions are used to distribute current, then heat generation is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power contact is designed with specific geometric parameters, including the arrangement of contact portions along the length and width directions, the dimensions of securing portions, and the spacing between contacts. These parameter optimizations balance heat dissipation performance with manufacturability, allowing standard fabrication processes to produce the complex geometry efficiently.
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
This design stabilizes signal transmission while managing heat and current efficiently, ensuring reliable operation of card edge connectors in high-data operation environments.
Implementation Method 1
at least a power contact retained in the insulative housing, the power contact having a securing portion retained in the insulative housing, a plurality of contact portions extending upwardly and sidewardly into the central slot from one end of the securing portion
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector (100) includes an elongate insulative housing (1), a plurality of signal contacts (3) and a pair of power contacts (4) retained in the insulative housing (1). The insulative housing (1) defines a pair of opposed side walls (11) and a central slot (13) between the side walls (11). Each side wall (11) defines a plurality of passageways (110) communicating with the central slot (13). Each signal contact (3) has an engaging portion (32) exposed to the central slot (13.) Each power contact (4) has a securing portion (41) retained in the insulative housing (1), a plurality of contact portions (42) extending upwardly and sidewardly into the central slot (13) from the securing portion (41) and arranged in a row along a length direction of the insulative housing (1), and at least one tail portion (43) extending downwardly from another end of the securing portion (41).