Patent Application
20070285901
The accompanying FIGs., where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a card structure and method of assembly thereof. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a card structure comprises a casing arranged to fit around an electrical connector. At least one foldable side tab is located on the casing such that when the at least one foldable side tab is folded it mechanically attaches the casing to the electrical connector. In this manner, by attaching the frame to the connector in the aforementioned manner, the frame, connector and a bottom (or associated top) cover are more securely attached. Furthermore, the tab fixing arrangement is more robust than a snap-fit fixing arrangement due to the increased mechanical strength. In addition, the aforementioned tab fixing arrangement does not suffer from the conductive burr problems associated with a snap-fit arrangement.
In one embodiment of the present invention, at least two foldable side tabs may be located on the casing to mechanically attach the casing to the electrical connector when folded.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one foldable side tab may be located adjacent the electrical connector when the casing is mechanically attached to the electrical connector.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the casing may be a metal frame. In this manner, there is no requirement to use complex and expensive plastic frame molding technology to produce a card structure.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the casing may be arranged to fit around a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) electronic card.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of assembling a card structure is described. The method comprises folding at least one foldable side tab located on a casing of the card structure around an electrical connector, such that the at least one foldable side tab mechanically attaches the casing to the electrical connector.
One embodiment of the present invention will be described in terms of a PCMCIA card structure and method of manufacture thereof. However, it will be appreciated by a skilled artisan that the inventive concept herein described may be embodied in any type of PC card and method of manufacture thereof.
Referring now to
A sectional (side) view 700 along a longitudinal edge of PCMCIA card casing structure is illustrated in
Referring now to
In one embodiment of the present invention, the two foldable side bends (tabs) are manufactured as resilient metal fixing arrangements that, when assembled, are able to mechanically attach the frame onto the PC card such that there is no gap between the bottom cover of the PC card structure and the frame, unlike the known prior art solution. In this manner, the metal casting frame is used like a chassis.
Thus, by introducing an additional step in the assembly process, the side bends 605 are resiliently folded over the frame into place. Advantageously, the foldable side bends 605 are placed distal from the 68-pin connector, thereby clamping the casing to the PC card structure and ensuring a tight fit of the casing to the PC card structure without limiting access to the 68-pin connector.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the foldable side bends are configured as part of a bottom cover sheet metal part. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, it is envisaged that the foldable side bends may be configured as part of a top cover sheet metal part.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly of the PCMCIA card is performed as follows. First, the 68-pin connector is soldered onto the PCMCIA printed circuit board. Thereafter, the printed circuit board and 68-pin connector are installed in the metal casting frame. At this stage, it is noteworthy that the connector is able to move upwards in a vertical direction, but is unable to move downwards in a vertical direction, as it is secured by the metal casting frame.
Finally, the bottom sheet metal cover, with the foldable side bend fixing arrangement, is then attached to the PCMCIA card structure, by bending the foldable side bend fixing arrangement over the metal casting frame using a simple mechanical tool. Thus, the sheet metal cover is attached to the metal casting frame and the 68-pin connector is now unable to move upwards in a vertical direction.
It will be understood that the improved PC card structure and method of manufacture thereof, as described above, aims to provide at least one or more of the following advantages:
(i) By attaching the cover to the 68 pin connector in the aforementioned manner, the frame, connector and bottom cover are more securely attached.
(ii) The method of manufacturing the PCMCIA card is improved using a less complex mechanism for securely attaching the respective covers to the frame.
(iii) The tab fixing arrangement is more robust than a snap-fit fixing arrangement due to the increased mechanical strength.
(iv) There is no gap between the metal cover and the frame.
(v) The aforementioned tab fixing arrangement does not suffer from the conductive burr problems associated with a snap-fit.
(vi) The aforementioned tab fixing arrangement provides robustness against bending deflection and twist movement of the PC card.
(vii) There is no requirement to use complex and expensive plastic frame molding technology as metal frames can be used.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
Thus, an improved PC card structure and method of assembly thereof have been described, wherein the aforementioned disadvantages with prior art arrangements have been substantially alleviated.
