Socket Connector With Dual-Height Alignment Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing socket connectors lack versatility to accommodate various types of module boards, such as hot-pluggable and embedded boards, without modification, and struggle to provide efficient electrical coupling and alignment for different lane-count optical transceiver modules.
Innovation Solution
A socket connector system featuring a horizontal alignment feature with a larger size and a vertical alignment feature with a smaller size, allowing for blind mate coupling of hot-pluggable module boards and vertical alignment of embedded module boards, along with recessed connection apertures for mounting screws, enabling interoperability of multiple module board types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a socket connector uses a single alignment feature design, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate both hot-pluggable and embedded module boards without modification
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment feature is divided into two distinct segments: a first alignment feature with a first height and a second alignment feature with a second height. This segmentation allows each alignment feature to serve different module board types (hot-pluggable and embedded) without requiring modification to the socket connector, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension (height difference) to the alignment features to accommodate different module board types. By varying the height of alignment features rather than changing their horizontal configuration, the socket connector can support both hot-pluggable and embedded module boards without increasing horizontal complexity, effectively resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If the horizontal alignment feature has sufficient height for reliable coupling, then alignment reliability is improved, but it prevents blind mate coupling of hot-pluggable module boards
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different height characteristics to different alignment features based on their specific functions. The first alignment feature has a first height optimized for reliable coupling with embedded module boards, while the second alignment feature has a second height specifically designed to allow blind mate coupling of hot-pluggable module boards. This local differentiation of quality (height) resolves the contradiction between alignment reliability and ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the socket connector is designed for embedded module boards, then stable electrical coupling is achieved, but hot-pluggable module boards cannot be coupled without modification
Solution Approach 1:
The socket connector is designed with multiple alignment features of different heights that enable it to universally accommodate both embedded and hot-pluggable module boards without modification. The first alignment feature provides stable electrical coupling for embedded module boards, while the second alignment feature enables blind mate coupling for hot-pluggable module boards, achieving multi-functionality without increasing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one example, a system for a socket connector includes a first alignment feature with a first height to engage with a module board, wherein the first alignment feature horizontally aligns the module board with a socket, and a second alignment feature with a second height to engage with the module board, wherein the second alignment feature vertically aligns the module board with the socket.