DIMM Socket Positive Lock Extractor for Vibration-Resistant PCB Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card edge connectors lack a secure mechanical retention mechanism to prevent daughter cards from dislodging due to environmental vibrations, such as those caused by friction alone.
Innovation Solution
A card edge connector design featuring a housing with rotatable extractors, including a latch and side towers, that securely retains and ejects the daughter card by applying vertical force and preventing straight-edge cards from being inserted, ensuring a secure electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If friction between the card and housing is used to hold the card in the slot, then the structure is simple, but the card may become loose or accidentally dislodge due to environmental vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion, a foot portion for ejection, and a latch portion for retention. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the latch portion provides positive mechanical retention while the foot portion handles ejection, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The extractor is designed as a rotatable component that can dynamically transition between different positions (ejected position, retained position, and intermediate positions). This dynamic capability allows the single extractor mechanism to provide both secure retention when engaged and reliable ejection when rotated, maintaining simplicity while achieving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If an L-shaped lever ejector is used to assist card removal, then the ejection function is provided, but no secure mechanical retention support is provided against vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the ejection function and retention function into a single integrated extractor mechanism. The extractor combines a foot portion for ejection with a latch portion for retention, allowing one component to perform both functions. This resolves the contradiction by providing secure mechanical retention without requiring separate complex retention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The extractor serves multiple functions: it provides positive mechanical retention through the latch portion, assists in card ejection through the foot portion, and can be rotated to transition between states. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single component responsible for both retention security and ejection capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If friction alone is used to secure the card, then manufacturing is simple, but the card connection is not secure against environmental effects
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor is designed to be self-latching through its geometric configuration. When rotated into the retained position, the latch portion automatically engages with the card's corner to provide positive mechanical retention without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly steps. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving secure connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector including a housing and a pair of extractors is disclosed for electrically connecting a first PCB such as a daughter card to a second PCB such as a motherboard. The extractors both secure and eject the daughter card from the connector. The extractors may be configured to reduce micro-motion of the daughter card by applying a vertical downward force thereto.