Connector for ram module

[0002] The present invention relates to connector and more particularly to an improved connector for connecting a RAM module to mainboard of computer.

[0003] Random access memory (RAM) is one of indispensable components of personal computer (e.g., desktop or notebook computer). The processing speed of computer is related to size of RAMs to a certain degree. RAMs are conventionally manufactured in a rectangular packet called module. Such RAM module is inserted in a connector mounted on mainboard of computer. It is common that a number of such connectors are provided on mainboard. As such, user may insert a desired number of RAM modules in connectors to obtain an optimum memory size. Traditionally, connector is integrally formed with two plastic arms at both ends. With this, a mounted RAM module may not loosen in connector after fastened by arms and connector. It is understood that the arms are flexed outward temporarily when inserting RAM module. As such, arms may be broken or permanently deformed if not sufficient care is taken during that insertion process. If such occurred, connector has to be replaced.

[0004] An improved conventional connector arm enhancement mechanism is shown in FIG. 8. As shown, a metal enhancement device (b) is secured to each arm (a). Enhancement device (b) has a rectangular cross section including an extended attachment member (b1) inserted in slot (a1) of arm (a), a pointing up tab (b2) for enclosing arm (a), a protruded engagement member (b)3 adjacent tab (b2) being fixed on mainboard c by soldering, and an inward slant flexible strip (b4) extended from one side of opening for urging against arm (a).

[0005] But this is unsatisfactory for the purpose for which the invention is concerned for the following reasons:

[0006] 1) Enhancement device (b) is stiff due to the rectangular cross section design.

[0007] 2) Engagement member (b3) is located between end of arm (a) and slot (a1) (i.e., the position susceptible to deformation).

[0008] These two factors together will cause arm (a) not easily bent or deformed, resulting in a loss of flexibility. Thus, it is not convenient to install RAM module despite the enhancement of strength of arm (a).

[0009] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a connector with auxiliary stress reduction mechanism for connecting a RAM module to mainboard of computer. By utilizing this, a breakage or damage to connector as occurred in prior art is eliminated during the RAM module insertion process.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector with auxiliary stress reduction mechanism for conveniently connecting a RAM module to mainboard of computer.

[0011] To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides a connector assembly comprising a plastic connector mounted on mainboard and two metal enhancement devices wherein connector includes a body, two parallel arms each including two spaced raised members, a positioning projection, and a protrusion with a guide slope defined between top side of arm and protrusion, slot, and a plurality of contact electrodes in the slot; and enhancement devices are secured to arms each including a U-shaped plate member having a planar portion and two spaced tab member with central openings, a protruded engagement member fixed on mainboard, and an outward slant flexible strip With the support of engagement members, flexible strips can share the stress with plate members and arms when arms flex outward or inward during the process of installing RAM module. This can prevent stress from concentrating on joints of body and arms of connector. Thus, joints are not susceptible to breakage.

[0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of of assembled connector and enhancement device according to the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 2;

[0015] FIG. 3A is a perspective view, RAM module being shown during mounting to connector;

[0016] FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A, RAM module being mounted;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing mounted RAM module secured by connector and enhancement device;

[0018] FIG. 5 is sectional view taken along line A—A of FIG. 4 showing the engagement of RAM module, connector, and enhancement device;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a partial top view of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 7A is similar to FIG. 5 where RAM module removed to illustrate the allowance of tab member with respect to raised member of arm;

[0021] FIG. 7B is a sectional view of arm illustrating the allowance of tab member with respect to raised member of arm; and

[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the conventional connector and enhancement device.

[0023] Referring to the accompanying drawings particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a connector assembly constructed in accordance with the invention comprising a connector 10 made of plastic material mounted on mainboard 20 and a pair of enhancement devices 40aand 40b. Connector 10 includes a body 11, parallel left arm 30aand right arm 30bat both ends of body 11, slot 12, and a plurality of contact electrodes 13 in the slot 12. Also, a metal left enhancement device 40aand left enhancement device 40aare secured to left arm 30aand right arm 30brespectively. Note that arms 30aand 30band enhancement devices 40aand 40bare bilaterally symmetrical so that description of one side (e.g., right arm 30band left enhancement device 40a) serves to describe the entirety.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2 specifically, right arm 30band body 11 are connected in joint 31. Right arm 30bincludes two spaced raised members 32aand 32bin the inner side, a positioning projection 33, and a protrusion 34 with a guide slope 340 defined between top side of right arm 30band protrusion 34.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B specifically, RAM module 40 is slantingly inserted toward slot 12 (see right arrow in FIG. 3A). This cause guide slope 340 to outward flex a little (see left arrow in FIG. 3A). Then press down RAM module 40 to cause protrusion 34 to engage with the top of RAM module 40 when it firmly inserts in slot 12 (see right arrow in FIG. 3B). Finally, guide slope 340 flexs inward by its elastic returning force to finish installing (see left arrow in FIG. 3B). At this time, positioning projection 33 moves into a side recess to become engaged so as to secure RAM module 40.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2 again, right enhancement device 40bincludes a plate member 41, a protruded engagement member 42, and an outward slant flexible strip 43. Preferably, plate member 41 has a length conformed to that of right arm 30b. Engagement member 42 is fixed on mainboard 20 by soldering. Plate member 41 has a U-shaped cross section including a planar portion 410 and a pair of spaced tab members 44aand 44bextended from bottom of planar portion 410 to form an L shape. Tab members 44aand 44bhave central openings corresponding to raised members 32aand 32brespectively. It is appreciated by those skilled in contact electrodes art that above configuration is only an embodiment for engaging tab members 44aand 44bwith raised members 32aand 32b. Other configurations are possible such as raised members 32aand 32bprovided on the outer side surfaces of arms 30aand 30b, or tab members 44aand 44bextended inwardly from top of planar portion 410 to engage with arms 30aand 30b.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 6 specifically, flexible strip 43 is oblique at a predetermined angle with respect to planar portion 410. Such angle is the designed maximum angle of right arm 30boutward flexing with respect to body 11 when installing RAM module 40. One end of flexible strip 43 is connected with planar portion 410 at a position abutted the joint 31 of right arm 30b, while a portion near the other end of flexible strip 43 is connected with engagement member 42 fixed on mainboard 20. As such, with the support of engagement member 42, flexible strip 43 can share the stress with plate member 41 and right arm 30bwhen right arm 30bflexs outward or inward during the process of installing RAM module 40. This can prevent stress from concentrating on joint 31. Otherwise, joint 31 may be broken or damaged.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2 again, two side wings 420aand 420bare provided on engagement member 42 wherein side wing 420acan support mounted RAM module 40 (see FIG. 5 specifically) and side wing 420burges against the bottom of positioning projection 33 to share the force exerted on right arm 30b(see FIGS. 4 and 3B). Note that raised members 32aand 32bof arms 30aand 30bmay have tolerances exceeding predetermined ranges in the manufacturing process due to the nature of plastic. As such, it is desirable that the central openings of tab members 44aand 44bare suitably larger than the sizes of raised members 32aand 32bso as to fit tab members 44aand 44bonto raised members 32aand 32b(see FIGS. 7A and 7B).

[0029] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.