Card Edge Connector Ejector Retention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card edge connectors with retention protrusions at opposite ends fail to provide sufficient retention force due to ease of loosening from concussion and distortion at high temperatures, leading to inadequate retention of DDR modules.
Innovation Solution
A card edge connector design featuring elongated insulative housing with towers and ejectors, where the ejector's first and second protrusions engage with the housing's bars to create a two-segment interference, enhancing retention and reliability through a combination of first and second protrusions and third bars, and spring arms for sandwiching the memory card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retention protrusions are used at opposite ends of the ejector, then the ejector can be retained in the connector housing, but the retention protrusions are easy to unloose by concussion and can be distorted during high temperature processing
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is divided into multiple segments: the ejector body has first protrusions at opposite ends, while the housing has corresponding first grooves. Additionally, second protrusions and second grooves are provided at different locations to create multi-point retention. This segmentation distributes retention forces across multiple contact points, preventing loosening and distortion under thermal and mechanical stress.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ejector and housing are given different geometric features tailored to their specific retention needs. The first protrusions engage with first grooves for primary retention, while second protrusions engage with second grooves for additional stability. This localized differentiation of geometric properties ensures optimal retention at each contact point without compromising overall structural integrity.
2Force
If simple retention protrusions are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the retention force is insufficient to ensure the DDR module is held firmly
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system uses multiple protrusion-groove pairs distributed at different locations on the ejector and housing. This multi-point engagement distributes and multiplies the retention force across several contact points, providing sufficient holding strength for the DDR module while keeping each individual retention feature geometrically simple and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector includes an elongated insulative housing, a number of electrical contacts received therein and an ejector rotatably mounted thereon. The insulative housing defines a central slot for receiving a card therein. At least one tower is formed at one end of the insulative housing and includes a pair of sidewalls. The ejector includes a main body with a kicker at a bottom end and a handle at a top end thereof. Each sidewall of the tower includes a first bar and a second bar engaging with a first protrusion disposed on the ejector thereby generating a two-segment interference between the ejector and the insulative housing.