Dual-Entry Card Edge Connector for Flexible PCB Mating

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card edge connectors are limited by the necessary orientation for mating with printed circuit boards (PCBs), which restricts design choices, increases costs, and limits the performance of PCBs due to size and cost constraints.

Innovation Solution

A dual entry card edge connector system that includes a body with an open socket extending through it, featuring interior channels and electrical contacts that can be inserted from either side, allowing for multiple mating orientations and optimal design choices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional card edge connectors are used with fixed mating orientation, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but design flexibility and PCB performance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating orientation flexibilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical contacts are shaped with asymmetric geometry featuring a contact portion at an angle, allowing the same contact to mate with PCBs inserted from different directions. The contact portion is positioned to engage with PCB electrical pads regardless of insertion orientation, enabling dual-sided mating capability without requiring symmetric contact arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The card edge connector is designed with universal mating capability where the same connector body and electrical contacts can accommodate PCBs inserted from either the first side or the second side. The open socket and angled contact portions work together to provide multi-functional mating interfaces, allowing a single connector design to serve multiple orientation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple mating orientations are accommodated, then design choices and PCB performance are optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating orientation flexibilityVSAvoidconnector manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical contacts are shaped with asymmetric geometry featuring a contact portion at an angle, allowing the same contact to mate with PCBs inserted from different directions. The contact portion is positioned to engage with PCB electrical pads regardless of insertion orientation, enabling dual-sided mating capability without requiring symmetric contact arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed orientation connectors are used, then manufacturing costs are lower, but design flexibility and performance are constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating orientation flexibilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical contacts are shaped with asymmetric geometry featuring a contact portion at an angle, allowing the same contact to mate with PCBs inserted from different directions. The contact portion is positioned to engage with PCB electrical pads regardless of insertion orientation, enabling dual-sided mating capability without requiring symmetric contact arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The card edge connector is designed with universal mating capability where the same connector body and electrical contacts can accommodate PCBs inserted from either the first side or the second side. The open socket and angled contact portions work together to provide multi-functional mating interfaces, allowing a single connector design to serve multiple orientation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250055212A1Dual entry card edge connector

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 KYOCERA AVX COMPONENTS CORP

AI summary

A card edge connector including a body including a first side and a second side, an open socket extending through the body from the first side to the second side, where the open socket includes an interior wall and a plurality of channels extending within the interior wall, and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within the plurality of channels and extending into the open socket.