Flexible Paddle Card Segmentation for Motherboard Connector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paddle cards with three connectors often suffer from misalignment issues due to manufacturing variabilities, leading to potential damage when seated on a motherboard, as seen in FIG. 1B, where the bottom card connector aligns correctly while the others do not, causing damage to either the paddle card or the motherboard.
Innovation Solution
A flexible paddle card design featuring a printed circuit board with three card connectors, where two connectors are mounted on a first rigid region and the third on a second rigid region, separated by a flexible region that allows the board to flex when mating with motherboard connectors, preventing damage during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid paddle card with three connectors is used, then structural stability is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to manufacturing variabilities causing misalignment with motherboard connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle card is segmented into multiple rigid regions connected by flexible regions. This allows different segments to independently adjust their positions to accommodate manufacturing tolerances while maintaining overall structural integrity. The connectors are distributed across these segmented regions, enabling localized alignment adjustments without compromising the entire card's stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle card transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic structure with flexible regions that can bend and adapt during insertion. This dynamic capability allows the card to compensate for misalignment between connectors and motherboard slots, ensuring proper seating without damage while maintaining structural support where needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a completely flexible paddle card is used, then alignment adaptability is improved, but structural strength deteriorates causing potential card deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle card is divided into rigid regions that provide structural support and flexible regions that provide adaptability. This segmentation allows the card to maintain strength where needed (at connector locations and support points) while providing flexibility in intermediate regions to accommodate alignment variations during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the paddle card have different mechanical properties - rigid regions near connectors provide strength and precise positioning, while flexible regions between connectors provide adaptability and tolerance compensation. This local differentiation of material properties allows the card to simultaneously achieve both strength and adaptability where each is most needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flexible design ensures proper alignment and secure seating of the paddle card, preventing damage to both the card and the motherboard by accommodating manufacturing variabilities and ensuring stable connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible region having a width that allows the printed circuit board to flex when the card connectors mate with the motherboard connectors
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible paddle cards for installation on a motherboard of a computing system are disclosed that are oriented parallel with the motherboard when installed in the computing system and include: a printed circuit board; and three card connectors that correspond to three motherboard connectors mounted on the motherboard, two of the card connectors mounted on a first rigid region of the printed circuit board, the remaining third card connector mounted on a second rigid region of the printed circuit board, and the first rigid region and the second rigid region separated by a flexible region of the printed circuit board, the flexible region having a width that allows the printed circuit board to flex when the card connectors mate with the motherboard connectors.