Memory Connector With Internal Bar For PCIe Bus Widths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connectors for memory cards in computing systems face challenges such as increased cost and rack depth due to cable management requirements, airflow issues, and difficulty in creating blind mate connectors with reduced pin pitch, especially when using larger PCIe bus widths.
Innovation Solution
The proposed connector design includes a housing with a cavity and internal bar that bridges the cavity to engage with notches on the memory card, allowing for multiple contact groups and shared pins for various PCIe bus widths without compromising height or pin pitch, and features a key profile for secure mating, enabling front serviceability and efficient airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable management solutions are implemented for top serviceable storage systems, then connectivity between memory devices and PCIe switch is improved, but cost and rack depth increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a PCIe connector portion and a memory card connector portion, allowing independent optimization of each segment's length and positioning, thereby reducing overall rack depth while maintaining connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate housing structure integrates both the PCIe connector and memory card connector, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for separate cable management solutions and reduces the intermediate distance between components
2Productivity
If pin pitch is reduced in connectors, then data throughput capacity is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design transitions from a traditional planar pin arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration with pins arranged along the inside wall of the cavity, allowing reduced pin pitch in multiple dimensions while maintaining manufacturability through standardized housing structures
3Productivity
If PCIe bus width is increased, then data throughput capacity is improved, but connector height and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector utilizes three-dimensional space within the housing cavity to accommodate multiple contact groups for wider PCIe bus configurations, arranging contacts along the cavity wall rather than requiring increased height, thereby supporting higher data throughput without compromising system height
4Ease of operation
If blind mate connectors are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates pre-configured contact groups arranged along the inside wall of the cavity, with the bar positioned to engage the notch before full insertion, guiding the mating process and ensuring proper alignment before electrical contact is made, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a connector for a memory device in a computing system. In one embodiment, the connector includes a housing having a cavity to receive a mating end of a printed circuit board (PCB). The cavity includes first groups of first contacts arranged along an inside wall of the cavity, to engage with respective second groups of second contacts arranged around the mating end of the PCB. The cavity further includes a bar disposed inside the cavity to bridge the cavity, to receive a notch formed on the mating end of the PCB. A depth of the notch defines a number of the first groups of first contacts to be engaged with a respective number of the second groups of second contacts on the mating end of the PCB.