Low-Profile Connector Contact Layout for PCIe Signal Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connector assemblies for data centers, such as those used in servers, face challenges in achieving superior mechanical and electrical performance while maintaining a low cost and reduced height, particularly in applications like PCIe Gen4 SSD drives, where increased data rates require improved connectivity solutions.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design featuring a base with a channel extending along the X-axis and contacts with distinct securement and additional portions, allowing for secure engagement and reduced height configurations, enabling efficient manufacturing and improved performance by optimizing the arrangement of contact widths and heights along the Y and Z axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connector assemblies are designed for increased data rates, then electrical performance is improved, but height increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact is designed with portions extending in multiple dimensions - specifically, portions that extend below the securement portion in the Z-axis direction while maintaining securement engagement in the X-Y plane. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows electrical performance optimization without proportionally increasing overall height.
Solution Approach 2:
Portions of the contact are nested within the channel structure, with contact portions disposed below the securement portion while remaining contained within the channel boundaries. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and reduces overall height while maintaining electrical functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If contact portions are extended below the securement portion, then mechanical stability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact features localized width variations at specific positions - narrower sections at the angled portions and broader sections at the forward and rear portions. These local quality changes provide natural positioning features that guide the contact into correct alignment within the channel, reducing overall positioning accuracy requirements while maintaining mechanical stability.
3Length of stationary object
If contact width is reduced at angled portions, then height is reduced, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact is segmented into distinct portions with different width characteristics - forward portion, first angled portion, securement portion, second angled portion, and rear portion. Each segment serves a specific function and can be manufactured with optimized dimensions independently, facilitating a multi-step manufacturing process that achieves complex geometry through sequential operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a base extending along a Y-axis and a channel extending through the base along an X-axis. A contact is disposed at least partially within the channel, the contact defining a securement portion and at least one additional portion. The securement portion and the additional portion are defined at different points along the contact as measured along the X-axis, and the securement portion secures to the base at the channel. When the securement portion is at least partially disposed within the channel and secured to the base at the channel, the additional portion is disposed lower than the securement portion as measured along the Z-axis.