DIMM Socket Seating Floor for Mixed-Length Edge Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

The electro-mechanical coupling of a DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) to a motherboard can lead to failure mechanisms, particularly due to uneven release dynamics of the DIMM, which can cause mechanical damage to socket pins, resulting in short circuits and potential damage to the motherboard.

Innovation Solution

A DIMM socket with a seating floor designed to accommodate both longer and shorter length edge contacts, and a latch mechanism that prevents improper release of the DIMM by ensuring uneven force application during release, thereby preventing rotation that could damage socket pins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a standard DIMM socket is used with a flat seating floor, then it can accommodate DIMMs with uniform edge contacts, but it cannot properly seat DIMMs with mixed length edge contacts (longer and shorter contacts)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different DIMM contact lengthsVSAvoidseating floor flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform seating floor heights at different locations. Specifically, the seating floor has a first height for shorter edge contacts and a second height (lower than the first) for longer edge contacts. This allows each region of the seating floor to be optimized for the specific contact length it supports, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the DIMM is released by applying force to both ends simultaneously, then even force distribution is achieved, but uneven release dynamics occur due to friction variations, causing rotation and damage to socket pins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease operationVSAvoidsocket pin integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetry in the latch mechanism by providing different friction characteristics at the first and second ends of the DIMM. The latch is designed to engage with different friction coefficients at each end, creating an asymmetric release dynamic. This asymmetric design ensures that one end releases before the other, preventing rotation of the DIMM during release and protecting socket pins from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If more signal wires are integrated into smaller form factors, then computing system performance is improved, but failure mechanisms of module/board attachment become more likely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing system performanceVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing a controlled release mechanism that prevents sudden or uneven release of the DIMM. The latch mechanism incorporates friction-based control that gradually and evenly releases the DIMM from both ends, cushioning against the harmful effects of uneven release forces. This prevents mechanical damage to socket pins and maintains attachment reliability even as form factors shrink and stress increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12315587B2DIMM socket with seating floor to meet both longer length edge contacts and shorter length edge contacts

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 INTEL CORP

AI summary

An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a DIMM socket having a seating floor that is to meet both longer length contacts and shorter length contacts of a DIMM when the DIMM is fully seated in the socket.