Connector Stiffener Retarding Device Limits Cover Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing land grid array connectors can scratch conductive traces on Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) due to a tab on the cover that may accidentally touch the board during assembly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a retarding device on the stiffener with retarding pieces that limit the downward movement of the cover's tabs, preventing them from coming into contact with the PCB during rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a tab is provided on the cover to prevent over-rotation, then the cover can be prevented from rotating beyond the closed position, but the tab may scratch the PCB and destroy circuit traces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover rotation controlVSAvoidPCB trace damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a retarding piece as an intermediary element between the tab and the PCB. This retarding piece abuts against the tab to provide rotational limiting function, while being positioned to prevent the tab from directly contacting the PCB. The retarding piece thus mediates the interaction, allowing the cover to be prevented from over-rotation without causing damage to the PCB traces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the tab abuts against the rear wall to limit rotation, then the cover rotational stroke is controlled, but the tab may incidentally scratch across the PCB during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover assembly controlVSAvoidPCB integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retarding piece serves as a mediator that intercepts the tab's motion path. When the cover rotates to the closed position, the retarding piece abuts against the tab to stop further rotation. This intermediary arrangement ensures that the tab's limiting function is maintained while its potentially harmful incidental contact with the PCB is prevented, thus preserving PCB integrity during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the cover is allowed to rotate freely to ensure easy assembly, then assembly speed is improved, but the cover may over-rotate and damage the PCB

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidPCB trace scratching

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retarding piece is positioned to abut against the tab when the cover reaches the closed position, automatically limiting rotation without requiring additional control mechanisms. This allows the cover to rotate freely during normal assembly operations, maintaining high assembly speed, while the retarding piece prevents over-rotation that would cause PCB damage. The intermediary retarding piece thus enables both efficient assembly and PCB protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7785125B1Connector having stiffener with retaring device limiting rotational stroke of clip

Publication Date: 2010.08.31 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

A connector, comprises a housing (10) receiving a plurality of contacts, a stiffener (21) surrounding the housing and a cover (25) rotatably assembled to the stiffener and defining an open position and a closed position relative to the stiffener. The stiffener has a front wall (214) and a rear wall (215), and the front wall is formed with at least one retarding piece (217). The cover has at least one tab (254) engaging with the stiffener when the cover is at the open position, the tab is disposed above the retarding piece, thereby the retarding piece limits a downwardly movement of the cover.