Staggered Pin Connector for Hot-Pluggable M.2 Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional connector form factors in information handling systems often hinder hot-pluggability, especially for devices conforming to standards like M.2, as they cannot be modified to have staggered pins without deviating from the standard, leading to issues such as electrostatic discharge and ground bounce during insertion and removal.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle connector design featuring pins of different lengths, where a first pin of longer length with two contact bumps engages before a second pin of shorter length with one contact bump, ensuring sequential power and signal sequencing, allowing for hot-pluggability while maintaining compliance with standard pinouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connector form factors are used, then devices can conform to standards like M.2, but hot-pluggability is hindered and electrostatic discharge and ground bounce occur during insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The connector pins are segmented into multiple length groups (first length, second length, third length) where pins of different lengths engage in sequence during insertion. This segmentation allows ground pins (longer length) to engage before signal pins (shorter length), establishing proper grounding before signal transmission and preventing electrostatic discharge and ground bounce issues
Solution Approach 2:
The longer ground pins are designed to engage with the device before shorter signal pins during insertion, and to disengage after signal pins during removal. This preliminary action of establishing ground connections before signal connections prevents harmful electrostatic discharge and ground bounce effects during the hot-plugging operation
2Ease of operation
If pins are made staggered to enable sequential engagement, then hot-pluggability is improved, but devices with standard pinouts cannot be modified without deviating from the standard
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle connector is designed with local quality variations - specific pins at specific positions have different lengths (first length, second length, third length) while maintaining the standard pinout configuration. This allows the connector to provide staggered engagement benefits locally without changing the overall standard-compliant pin arrangement, enabling hot-pluggability while maintaining compatibility with standard devices
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the horizontal/vertical arrangement of pins (which would deviate from standard pinouts), the invention introduces a new dimension - pin length variation - to achieve staggered engagement. This dimensional change allows sequential engagement of ground and signal pins while maintaining the same pin positions and connections as standard connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle connector may include a housing for housing a first pin and a second pin. The first pin may be of a first length and configured to be coupled to a first corresponding pin of an information handling resource received by the receptacle connector, the first pin comprising two contact bumps for maintaining electrical contact with the first corresponding pin. The second pin may be of a second length and configured to be coupled to a second corresponding pin of the information handling resource. The second length may be substantially shorter than the first length such that when the information handling resource is inserted into the receptacle connector, the first corresponding pin engages with the first pin before the second corresponding pin engages with the second pin. The second pin may comprise one contact bump for maintaining electrical contact with the second corresponding pin.