Floating Connector Housing for Tool-Less Misalignment Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern computing systems face issues with misalignment during the installation of electronic devices on motherboards, leading to faulty connections, wear, and tear, and costly damages due to the reduced height of connecting fingers and the need for tools for secure coupling.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a movable housing and a biasing member that allows for adjustable seating and secure coupling without tools, reducing wear and tear and ensuring a tight connection between the connector and the motherboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional connectors with fixed housing are used, then secure coupling is achieved, but tool requirement and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is designed to be movable relative to the connecting device body, allowing the housing to shift position during installation to accommodate misalignment. This dynamic adjustment enables tool-less secure coupling while maintaining connection reliability, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Length of moving object
If connector height is reduced, then profile lowliness is achieved, but misalignment damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable housing compensates for misalignment by adjusting its position relative to the connecting device body, preventing damage to the low-profile connector and receiving connector despite reduced height. This dynamic mechanism allows the connector to adapt to alignment variations without requiring increased height.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member applies a biasing force to the movable housing, providing a cushioning effect that prevents excessive force transmission to the connecting fingers during misalignment. This protective mechanism reduces damage risk while maintaining the low-profile design.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed connector housing is used, then manufacturing simplicity is achieved, but misalignment accommodation fails
Solution Approach 1:
The movable housing design maintains manufacturing simplicity while improving connection reliability by allowing the housing to move and accommodate misalignment. The biasing member provides the necessary force to ensure stable connection, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
4Reliability
If connector housing is made movable, then misalignment compensation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable housing with biasing member provides misalignment compensation through a relatively simple mechanical mechanism. The housing can shift position while the biasing member maintains connection force, achieving alignment tolerance without excessive complexity in the overall connector assembly.
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 solution enables tool-less secure coupling, reduces damage to connectors and motherboards, and maintains a stable connection, addressing misalignment issues and the challenges of reduced connector heights.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member disposed within the connector housing and configured to bias the connector toward the receiving structure
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to connector assembly for a connecting device. The connector assembly may include an electrical connector connectible with a corresponding receiving structure on a receiving device separate from the connecting device. Further, the connector assembly may include a connector housing enclosing the electrical connector. The connector housing may include a mounting lever engaged with a body of the connecting device to secure the connector housing with the connecting device and allow the connector housing to move relative to the body of the connecting device. Further, the connector assembly may include a biasing member disposed within the connector housing to bias the electrical connector toward the receiving structure on the receiving device.