Card Edge Connector Ejector Flexible Arm Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Card edge connectors with existing ejector mechanisms suffer from wear and tear due to rigid projections contacting retention walls, leading to reduced reliability and functionality over time.
Innovation Solution
The card edge connector incorporates a rotatable ejector mechanism with a flexible arm and locking protrusion, designed to reduce friction and wear by allowing the locking protrusion to pass a stop block during rotation, thus minimizing contact area and preventing easy opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid projections are used to contact retention walls for locking the memory card, then the locking reliability is improved, but the wear and tear of the projections increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is changed from a rigid structure to a flexible arm that can elastically deform. This parameter change in material properties allows the projection to absorb mechanical stress through elastic deformation rather than rigid contact, reducing wear and tear while maintaining locking reliability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible arm acts as a cushioning element that absorbs mechanical stress and impact forces before they can cause damage to the projection or retention wall. This beforehand cushioning effect protects the rigid components from direct high-stress contact, extending their service life while maintaining functional reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the ejector mechanism is rotatable retained in the retaining cavity, then the ejection function is improved, but the mechanical wear during rotation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface during rotation is changed from rigid projection-to-wall contact to flexible arm deformation. The flexible arm's elastic properties transform the rotational motion into controlled elastic deformation, significantly reducing friction and mechanical wear while maintaining the rotatable ejection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible arm serves as an intermediary element between the ejector mechanism and the retention wall. During rotation, the flexible arm mediates the interaction by deforming elastically rather than allowing direct rigid contact, thus reducing mechanical wear on both the ejector mechanism and the retention wall structures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If projections press onto retention walls to prevent rotation, then the locking stability is improved, but the friction and wear between contact surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection material property is changed from rigid to flexible, allowing elastic deformation under compressive load. This enables the projection to maintain stable contact with the retention wall for locking stability while the elastic deformation absorbs frictional energy, reducing wear on both contact surfaces during normal operation.
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 enhances the durability and reliability of the card edge connector by reducing friction and wear between the locking protrusion and stop block, ensuring secure locking and easy ejection of memory cards while minimizing mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
the body portion has a flexible arm, and a locking protrusion located on the flexible arm and outwardly resisting the retention wall during the ejector mechanism rotating with respect to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector includes an elongated housing, the housing extends along a longwise direction thereof and has a pair of opposed side walls, a central slot between the side walls, and a tower portion disposed at one end thereof. A plurality of contacts are retained in the housing. An ejector mechanism is rotatable retained in the housing and has a body portion, a flexible arm divided from the body portion and a locking protrusion located on the flexible arm. The lock protrusion is adapted to resist the tower portion during the ejector mechanism rotates with respect to the housing.