PCB Edge Guide and Protrusion Design for SSD Connector Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printed circuit boards and solid state drives face instability when engaged with interface connectors, leading to potential disconnection during mounting and repair.
Innovation Solution
A printed circuit board design featuring a base portion with chip pads, an edge portion with guide and protruding portions, and an interface connector with edge tabs that securely engage with the guide and protrusions, ensuring stable connection and easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional printed circuit board design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but engagement stability with interface connector deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The edge portion is segmented into multiple functional elements: guide portions extending from opposing ends and protrusions extending from the guide portions. This segmentation allows each element to perform a specific function - guide portions provide lateral guidance while protrusions provide depth positioning - thereby improving engagement stability without requiring complete redesign of the entire edge portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the edge portion are given different geometric properties: the guide portions have a first width and extend in a first direction to provide lateral guidance, while the protrusions have a second width (less than the first width) and extend in the same direction to provide depth positioning. This local differentiation of geometric qualities enables stable engagement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Reliability
If stable engagement is achieved through complex structures, then connection stability improves, but detachment ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure allows dynamic interaction between the interface connector and the printed circuit board during both engagement and detachment. The guide portions and protrusions guide the connector during engagement, then during detachment, the same structures allow controlled separation when force is applied. This dynamic behavior enables both stable engagement and easy detachment without requiring fundamentally different structures for each phase.
3Reliability
If guide portions and protrusions are added to edge portion, then engagement stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portions and protrusions are merged into a single integrated edge portion structure rather than being separate components. This merging allows both guidance and positioning functions to be achieved through one monolithic structure that can be manufactured using standard PCB fabrication processes, avoiding the need for additional assembly steps or specialized manufacturing equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
Printed circuit boards and solid state drives including the same are provided. The printed circuit boards may include a base portion including chip pads that are configured to be connected to semiconductor chips, an edge portion extending from one side of the base portion and including interface pads, guide portions, and protrusions. Each of the guide portions may protrude from a respective one of opposing ends of the edge portion in a first direction and may have a first width, and the guide portions may be spaced apart from each other. Each of the protrusions may protrude from a respective one of the guide portions and may have a second width that is less than the first width. A distance between the protrusions may be substantially equal to a distance between the guide portions.