Offset Card Edge Connector Receiving Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing card edge connectors, with a common center line for module and motherboard receiving spaces, restrict the placement of power supply devices in servers due to limited space, leading to increased thickness and wasted space, hindering the miniaturization of servers.
Innovation Solution
The card edge connector design features an elongated housing with offset receiving spaces for the module and motherboard, allowing for parallel center lines along the insertion direction, enabling more compact server designs by allowing power supply devices to be placed closer to the motherboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the first and second receiving spaces have a common centre line, then the module and mother board are located on a common plane, but the distance between the power supply device and mother board is large, increasing server thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the second receiving space (for mother board) relative to the first receiving space (for module) along the up-to-down direction. The center line of the second receiving space is parallel to but offset from the center line of the first receiving space, creating an asymmetric arrangement that reduces the vertical distance between the power supply device and mother board while maintaining proper alignment for electrical connections.
2Volume of moving object
If the server is miniaturized, then the space to hold the power supply device is limited, but the offset design reduces the distance and optimizes space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the up-to-down dimension by offsetting the second receiving space vertically relative to the first receiving space. This dimensional adjustment allows the power supply device to be positioned closer to the mother board in the vertical direction, effectively reducing the overall server volume while maintaining adequate space for power supply components.
Data Source
AI summary
A card edge connector includes an elongated housing and a number of contacts retained in the housing. Each contact has a retaining portion retained in the housing, a contact portion forwardly extending from a front end of the retaining portion and a connecting portion backwardly extending from a rear end of the retaining portion. The contacts are arranged in two rows and formed with a first receiving space between two rows of contact portions to receive a module and a second receiving space between two rows of connecting portions to receive a mother board. The first receiving space defines a first center line along an insertion direction of the module. The second receiving space defines a second center line which is parallel to the first center line and offset to the first center line along an up to down direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.