Integrated Electrical Connector with Circuit Card for Voltage Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commodity disk drives used in disk array enclosures often require multiple voltage levels and enhanced features, which are not provided by standard midplanes, necessitating external voltage conversion and additional circuitry to ensure system functionality.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector assembly with a circuit card integrated into the connector body, allowing for voltage conversion and enhanced functionality by providing both 12-volt and 5-volt supplies, and incorporating a cardholder to secure the circuit card, enabling direct electrical communication between the disk drive and midplane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If commodity disk drives are used in disk array enclosures, then cost is reduced, but voltage conversion and additional circuitry are required to provide multiple voltage levels and enhanced features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connector body and circuit card into a single integrated assembly. The connector body houses electrical contacts for power and data transmission, while the circuit card provides voltage conversion and enhanced features. This merging eliminates the need for separate external voltage conversion devices and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining cost benefits of using commodity disk drives.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector assembly serves multiple functions: it provides physical connection between disk drive and midplane, transmits power and data signals, performs voltage conversion from 12V to 5V, and delivers enhanced features such as on/off control and current-limit protection. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate components, reducing device complexity while enabling use of commodity disk drives.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external voltage conversion is implemented using separate circuit cards, then multiple voltage levels are provided, but device complexity and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit card is integrated within the connector body, forming a unified assembly that provides both mechanical connection and electrical functionality. The connector body contains electrical contacts that mate with the disk drive, while the integrated circuit card performs voltage conversion. This integration reduces assembly complexity by eliminating separate mounting operations and ensuring proper alignment through the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductor extending from the connector body side acts as an intermediary, providing electrical communication between the circuit card and the electrical contacts. This intermediary connection simplifies the overall architecture by creating a direct integrated pathway rather than requiring multiple separate connection points and wiring harnesses.
3Ease of manufacture
If commodity disk drives are used without enhanced features, then cost is reduced, but system functionality and control capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit card integrated into the connector assembly provides enhanced features including on/off control, soft-start control, current-limit protection, and logic signal conditioning. These features are delivered through the same integrated structure that enables use of commodity disk drives, thereby providing full system functionality without requiring expensive specialized drives.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit card within the connector assembly autonomously provides voltage conversion and enhanced control features directly at the disk drive interface. This self-service capability eliminates the need for additional external control devices or complex midplane circuitry, maintaining cost effectiveness while delivering full functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an electrical connector assembly with an electrical connector having a connector body that includes a receptacle connector portion at a first end and a plug connector portion at a second end opposite the first end. The receptacle connector portion has electrical contacts within an opening for mating with a plug electrical connector at the first end of the connector body. The plug connector portion has electrical contacts within an opening for mating with a receptacle electrical connector at the second end. The connector body has an electrical conductor that is in electrical communication with at least one of the electrical contacts and extends from one side of the connector body. A circuit card is disposed adjacent to that one side of the connector body and is in electrical communication with the at least one electrical contact through the electrical conductor extending from the side of the connector body.