M.2 Connector Perpendicular Receptacles for PCB Area Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional M.2 connectors occupy a large surface area on printed circuit boards due to their parallel orientation, limiting the number of storage devices that can be mounted in a given area.
Innovation Solution
The connectors feature receptacles oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface, allowing for a more compact design that reduces the space required by each storage device, with terminals extending through the mounting surface and into the receptacles to maintain compatibility with existing M.2 standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional M.2 connectors are mounted with receptacles parallel to the PCB, then the connector structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the storage device occupies a large surface area of the PCB
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by reorienting the receptacles from a parallel arrangement to a perpendicular arrangement relative to the mounting surface. This vertical orientation allows storage devices to be mounted upright rather than flat, significantly reducing the horizontal footprint on the PCB while maintaining all necessary electrical connection functions through the terminal structure
2Quantity of substance
If multiple storage devices are mounted on the PCB, then the storage capacity increases, but the PCB surface area required increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from a two-dimensional parallel mounting arrangement to a three-dimensional perpendicular mounting arrangement, the patent enables multiple storage devices to be packed more densely on the PCB. The vertical orientation allows devices to stack upward rather than spread outward, increasing the quantity of storage devices that can be mounted within the same PCB footprint
3Area of stationary object
If the receptacles are oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface, then the PCB surface area is reduced, but the terminal arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal arrangement accommodates the perpendicular receptacle orientation by extending terminals through the mounting surface in a configuration that maintains electrical connectivity. The terminal structure is designed to interface with vertically oriented receptacles, with terminals arranged to provide signal paths from the PCB through the mounting surface to the storage device contacts
Data Source
AI summary
Technology is provided for a connector for use with an M.2 memory module. The connector comprises a connector body including a mounting surface, first and second receptacles oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface, and a plurality of terminals extending through the mounting surface and into the first and second receptacles.