Interconnection Guide Rails Prevent Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electronic devices become smaller, interconnection systems face challenges in mechanical integrity and reliability, particularly with removable memory cards where misalignment can lead to short circuits and mechanical damage.
Innovation Solution
The interconnection system features a unique geometry with slanted sides and rails on the male portion that mates with a female portion, including a latch and a bias post for secure engagement, along with a guide with a tolerance fit and power contact surfaces to ensure proper alignment and prevent damage, and optionally includes heat exchange or media transmission capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of interconnection systems is reduced to accommodate smaller electronic devices, then device miniaturization is achieved, but mechanical integrity and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnection system is divided into distinct functional segments: a male portion with guide features (rails and slanted sides) for alignment, a female portion with corresponding receptacles, and separate alignment surfaces on the memory card edges. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall reliability despite miniaturization.
2Device complexity
If edges of memory cards are used as alignment surfaces, then device simplicity is maintained, but misalignment with electrical connections occurs leading to short circuits and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
Guide features (rails and slanted sides on the male portion, corresponding receptacles on the female portion) act as intermediary alignment mechanisms between the memory card edges and the electrical contacts. These intermediaries ensure precise alignment before electrical connection is established, preventing misalignment damage while maintaining relative simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide features perform preliminary alignment action before the electrical contacts engage. The slanted sides and rails guide the memory card into proper position prior to contact establishment, ensuring that alignment is achieved before any electrical connection occurs, thereby preventing short circuits and mechanical damage.
Data Source
AI summary
Interconnection systems are shown that include communication contacts, and a guide. Configurations are shown with a guide that locates a male portion with respect to a female portion and guides their engagement before any communication contacts are engaged. Configurations are also shown with a guide that includes one or more power contacts.