阅读说明：本技术 用于闩锁的具有放松机构的连接器 (Connector with release mechanism for latch ) 是由 P·耿 X·李 G·韦尔吉斯 M·普拉卡什 于 2019-12-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于电路板的连接器壳体的实施例可以包括：连接器主体,其用于接收电路板,以及放松机构,其机械地耦合到连接器主体,以放松连接器壳体上的应力,并且在超过负载门限的负载下保持电路板被接收在连接器主体中。公开并要求保护了其他实施例。(Embodiments of a connector housing for a circuit board may include: the connector includes a connector body for receiving a circuit board, and a release mechanism mechanically coupled to the connector body to release stress on the connector housing and to maintain the circuit board received in the connector body under a load that exceeds a load threshold. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.)

1. A connector housing for a circuit board, comprising:

a connector body for receiving the circuit board; and

a release mechanism mechanically coupled to the connector body to release stress on the connector housing and to maintain the circuit board received in the connector body under a load that exceeds a load threshold.

2. The connector housing of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises:

a latch for retaining the circuit board in the connector body, wherein the latch is mechanically coupled to the connector body with a structure that allows the latch to translate under the load that exceeds the load threshold.

3. The connector housing of claim 2, wherein the structure that allows the latch to translate under the load that exceeds the load threshold comprises:

a groove disposed in one of the connector body and the latch to allow the latch to translate relative to the connector body under the load that exceeds the load threshold.

4. The connector housing of claim 3, wherein the groove comprises:

a first pivot point for holding the circuit board fully seated in the connector when a load on the latch is less than or equal to the load threshold; and

a second pivot point for holding the circuit board partially seated in the connector body when the load on the latch exceeds the load threshold.

5. The connector housing of claim 4, further comprising:

a spring configured to allow translation of the latch from the first pivot point to the second pivot point only when the load on the latch exceeds the load threshold.

6. The connector housing of claim 3, wherein the connector body includes a slot for receiving the circuit board.

7. The connector housing of claim 6, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the groove is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the slot.

8. The connector housing of claim 6, wherein the circuit board comprises a memory card.

9. The connector housing according to claim 6, wherein the circuit board comprises a dual in-line memory module.

10. A connector for a memory card, comprising:

a connector housing including an elongated slot for receiving the memory card, the connector housing comprising:

a first set of opposing grooves at a first end of the elongated slot, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the first set of opposing grooves is transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot, an

A second set of opposing grooves at a second end of the elongated slot opposite the first end, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the second set of opposing grooves is transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot;

a first latch received within the first set of opposing grooves of the connector housing; and

a second latch received within the second set of opposing grooves of the connector housing.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the first set of opposing grooves includes a first pivot point at a first end of the first set of opposing grooves and a second pivot point at a second end of the first set of opposing grooves, and the second set of opposing grooves includes a first pivot point at a first end of the second set of opposing grooves and a second pivot point at a second end of the second set of opposing grooves.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the first set of opposing grooves includes a first spring for allowing translation of the first latch between the first pivot point and the second pivot point of the first set of opposing grooves only when a load on the first latch exceeds a load threshold, and the second set of opposing grooves includes a second spring for allowing translation of the second latch between the first pivot point and the second pivot point of the second set of opposing grooves only when a load on the second latch exceeds the load threshold.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein the respective second pivot points of the first and second sets of opposing grooves are positioned relative to the respective first pivot points of the first and second sets of opposing grooves for relaxing stress on the respective first and second latches under impact load when the first and second latches are located at the respective second pivot points.

14. The connector of claim 10, wherein respective longitudinal centerlines of the first and second sets of opposing grooves are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot.

15. The connector of claim 10, wherein the memory card comprises a dual in-line memory module.

16. A connector housing for a circuit board substrate, comprising:

a first housing portion including an elongated slot for receiving a circuit board substrate;

a second housing portion mechanically coupled to the first housing portion at one end of the elongated slot, the second housing portion including a first recess for receiving a latch, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the first recess is transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot; and

a third housing portion mechanically coupled to the first housing portion at one end of the elongated slot and opposite the second housing portion, the third housing portion including a second recess for receiving the latch, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the second recess is aligned with a longitudinal centerline of the first recess and the second recess is directly opposite the first recess.

17. The connector housing of claim 16, wherein the first groove includes a first pivot point at a first end of the first groove and a second pivot point at a second end of the first groove, and the second groove includes a first pivot point at a first end of the second groove and a second pivot point at a second end of the second groove.

18. The connector housing of claim 17, wherein the first and second grooves include springs for allowing translation of the latch between the respective first and second pivot points of the first and second grooves only when a load on the latch exceeds a load threshold.

19. The connector housing of claim 17, wherein the respective second pivot points of the first and second grooves are positioned relative to the respective first pivot points of the first and second grooves for relieving stress on the latch under impact loads when the latch is located at the respective second pivot points.

20. The connector housing of claim 16, wherein respective longitudinal centerlines of the first and second grooves are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot.

Technical Field

Embodiments relate generally to circuit board connectors. More particularly, embodiments relate to a connector for a latch having a release mechanism.

Background

An electronic component, such as a circuit board, may be mechanically and/or electrically coupled with the connector. Memory cards, such as dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs), may include rows of electrical connections along the edges of the card. A memory card connector may include a plurality of pins to be soldered to a motherboard/parent board (e.g., motherboard) and a socket for receiving an edge of a memory card having an electrical connection. The insertion/ejection latch may facilitate insertion and retention of the memory card in the connector, as well as ejection of the memory card from the connector.

Drawings

Various advantages of the embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following specification and appended claims, and by referencing the following drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a connector for a circuit board according to an embodiment;

fig. 2A to 2C are block diagrams of an example of a connector for a memory card according to an embodiment;

fig. 3A is a top view of an example of a connector housing according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a front view of the connector housing from FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the connector housing taken along line X-X in FIG. 3A;

fig. 4 is a front view of an example of another connector housing according to an embodiment;

fig. 5 is a front view of an example of another connector housing according to an embodiment;

fig. 6 is a front view of an example of another connector housing according to an embodiment;

fig. 7A is a side view of an example of a latch according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a front view of the latch from FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the latch taken along line Y-Y in FIG. 7B;

fig. 8A is a side view of an example of another latch according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a front view of the latch of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the latch taken along line Z-Z of FIG. 8B; and

fig. 9A to 9B are partially cut-away front views of an example of another connector housing according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments described herein may include a memory component and/or an interface to a memory component. Such memory components may include volatile and/or non-volatile (NV) memory (NVM). Volatile memory can be a storage medium that requires power to maintain the state of data stored by the medium. Non-limiting examples of volatile memory may include various types of Random Access Memory (RAM), such as Dynamic RAM (DRAM) or Static RAM (SRAM). One particular type of DRAM that may be used in a memory module is synchronous dynamic ram (sdram). In particular embodiments, the DRAM of the memory component may conform to standards promulgated by the Joint Electron Device Engineering Commission (JEDEC), such as JESD79F for Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM, JESD79-2F for DDR2 SDRAM, JESD79-3F for DDR3 SDRAM, JESD79-4A for DDR4 SDRAM, JESD209 for Low Power DDR (LPDDR), JESD209-2 for LPDDR2, JESD209-3 for LPDDR3, and JESD209-4 for LPDDR4 (these standards are available at www.jedec.org). Such standards (and similar standards) may be referred to as DDR-based standards, and the communication interface of a memory device implementing such standards may be referred to as DDR-based interfaces.

An NVM may be a storage medium that does not require power to maintain the state of data stored by the medium. In one embodiment, the memory devices may comprise block addressable memory devices, such as those based on NAND or NOR technology. The memory devices may also include future generations of non-volatile devices, such as three-dimensional (3D) cross-point memory devices, or other byte-addressable write-in-place non-volatile memory devices. In one embodiment, the memory device may be or may include a memory device that uses: chalcogenide glass, multi-threshold NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, single or multi-level Phase Change Memory (PCM), resistive memory, nanowire memory, ferroelectric transistor RAM (fetram), antiferroelectric memory, Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) memory including memristor technology, resistive memory including metal oxide based, oxygen vacancy based, and conductive bridge RAM (CB-RAM), or Spin Transfer Torque (STT) -MRAM, spin-electron magnetic junction memory-based devices, Magnetic Tunneling Junction (MTJ) -based devices, DW (domain wall) and SOT (spin-orbit transfer) based devices, thyristor (thyristor) based memory devices, or a combination of any of the above, or other memory. Memory devices may refer to the die itself and/or packaged memory products. In a particular embodiment, the memory component having the non-volatile memory can conform to one or more standards promulgated by JEDEC, such as JESD218, JESD219, JESD220-1, JESD223B, JESD223-1, or other suitable standards (the JEDEC standards referenced herein are available at JEDEC.

Turning now to fig. 1, an embodiment of a connector housing 10 for a circuit board 11 may include: a connector body 12 for receiving the circuit board 11; and a release mechanism 13 mechanically coupled to the connector body 12 for releasing stress on the connector housing 10 and keeping the circuit board 11 received in the connector body 12 under a load exceeding a load threshold. In some embodiments, the release mechanism 13 may include a latch for retaining the circuit board 11 in the connector body 12, wherein the latch is mechanically coupled to the connector body 12 with a structure that allows the latch to translate under a load that exceeds a load threshold. For example, the structure that allows the latch to translate under a load that exceeds a load threshold may include a groove disposed in one of the connector body 12 and the latch to allow the latch to translate relative to the connector body 12 under a load that exceeds a load threshold.

In some embodiments, the groove may comprise: a first pivot point for keeping the circuit board 11 fully seated in the connector body 12 when the load on the latch is less than or equal to the load threshold; and a second pivot point for holding the circuit board 11 partially seated in the connector body 12 when the load on the latch exceeds a load threshold. In some embodiments, the connector housing 10 may further include a spring configured to allow translation of the latch from the first pivot point to the second pivot point only when the load on the latch exceeds a load threshold (e.g., otherwise under a load below the load threshold, the latch is held at the first pivot point for normal operation). In some embodiments, the connector body 12 may include a slot for receiving the circuit board 11, and a longitudinal centerline of the recess may be substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the slot. In some embodiments, the circuit board may include a memory card or a dual in-line memory module (DIMM).

Turning now to fig. 2A-2C, an embodiment of a connector 20 for a memory card 21 may include: a connector housing 22 including an elongated slot 23 for receiving the memory card 21, the connector housing 22 including a first set of opposed recesses 24 at a first end 25 of the elongated slot 23 and a second set of opposed recesses 26 at a second end 27 of the elongated slot 23 opposite the first end 25. In some embodiments, the longitudinal centerline a of the first set of opposing grooves 24 is transverse to the longitudinal centerline B of the elongated slot 23, and the longitudinal centerline C of the second set of opposing grooves 26 is transverse to the longitudinal centerline B of the elongated slot 23. In some embodiments, the first latch 28 may be received within the first set of opposing grooves 24 of the connector housing 22 and the second latch 29 may be received within the second set of opposing grooves 26 of the connector housing 22. For example, the respective longitudinal centerlines A, C of the first and second sets of opposing grooves 24, 26 may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline B of the elongated slot 23. For example, the memory card 21 may include a DIMM.

In some embodiments, the first set of opposing grooves 24 may include a first pivot point D at a first end of the first set of opposing grooves 24 and a second pivot point E at a second end of the first set of opposing grooves 24, and the second set of opposing grooves 26 may include a first pivot point F at a first end of the second set of opposing grooves 26 and a second pivot point G at a second end of the second set of opposing grooves 26. For example, the first set of opposing grooves 24 may include a first spring for allowing translation of the first latch 28 between the first and second pivot points D, E of the first set of opposing grooves 24 only when the load on the first latch 28 exceeds the load threshold, and the second set of opposing grooves 26 may include a second spring for allowing translation of the second latch 29 between the first and second pivot points F, G of the second set of opposing grooves 26 only when the load on the second latch 29 exceeds the load threshold. For example, the respective second pivot points E, G of the first and second sets of opposing grooves 24, 26 may be positioned relative to the respective first pivot points D, F of the first and second sets of opposing grooves 24, 26 for relaxing stress on the respective first and second latches 28, 29 under impact loads when the first and second latches 28, 29 are located at the respective second pivot points E, G.

Fig. 2A shows an exploded view of the connector 20 and the memory card 21. Fig. 2B shows latches 28, 29 received within respective recesses 24, 26 of latches 28, 29 and memory card 21 fully seated within connector housing 22 (e.g., with latches 28, 29 at first pivot point D, F). Under normal loading conditions, latches 28, 29 may pivot about first pivot point D, F to retain memory card 21 fully seated within connector housing 22. Fig. 2C shows latches 28, 29 translated to a second pivot point E, G with memory card 21 partially seated within connector housing 22. Under impact loading, recesses 24, 26 may allow latches 28, 29 to translate to second pivot point E, G to relieve stress on latches 28, 29 while retaining memory card 21 within connector housing 22.

Turning now to fig. 3A-3C, an embodiment of a connector housing 30 for a circuit board substrate may include: a first housing portion 31 including an elongated slot 32 for receiving a circuit board substrate; a second housing portion 33 mechanically coupled to the first housing portion 31 at one end of the elongated slot 32. The second housing portion 33 may include a first recess 34 for receiving the latch, wherein a longitudinal centerline a of the first recess 34 is transverse to a longitudinal centerline B of the elongated slot 32. The connector housing 30 may further comprise a third housing portion 35, said third housing portion 35 being mechanically coupled to the first housing portion 31 at an end of the elongated slot 32 and opposite the second housing portion 33. The third housing portion 35 may include a second groove 36 for receiving the latch, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the second groove 36 is aligned with the longitudinal centerline a of the first groove 34, and the second groove 36 is directly opposite the first groove 34. For example, the respective longitudinal centerlines A, C of the first and second grooves 34, 36 may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline B of the elongated slot 32.

In some embodiments, the first groove 34 includes a first pivot point D at a first end of the first groove 34 and a second pivot point E at a second end of the first groove 34, and the second groove 36 includes a first pivot point F at a first end of the second groove 36 and a second pivot point G at a second end of the second groove 36. For example, the first and second grooves 34, 36 may include springs for allowing translation of the latch between the respective first (D, F) and second (E, G) pivot points of the first and second grooves 34, 36 only when the load on the latch exceeds a load threshold. For example, the spring may include a spring mechanism provided by forming a constriction in one or both of the first and second grooves 34, 36. The elasticity or spring force of the material of the connector housing 30 (e.g., or the material of the mating pin in the latch) may provide a spring force for the constriction. In some embodiments, the respective second pivot points (E, G) of the first and second grooves 34, 36 are positioned relative to the respective first pivot points (D, F) of the first and second grooves 34, 36 for relieving stress on the latch under impact loads when the latch is located at the respective second pivot points (E, G). In some embodiments, the circuit board substrate may include a memory card, such as a DIMM.

In some embodiments, the connector housing 30 may further include a fourth housing portion 37 mechanically coupled to the first housing portion 31 at another end of the elongated slot 32 opposite the second and third housing portions 33, 35. The fourth housing portion 37 can include a set of opposing grooves 38a, 38b for receiving a second latch, wherein a longitudinal centerline H of the set of opposing grooves 38a, 38b is transverse to a longitudinal centerline C of the elongated slot 32, wherein the set of opposing grooves 38a, 38b includes a first pivot point J at a first end of the set of opposing grooves 38a, 38b and a second pivot point K at a second end of the set of opposing grooves 38a, 38b, and wherein the set of opposing grooves 38a, 38b includes a second spring (e.g., a second constriction) for allowing translation of the second latch between the respective first and second pivot points J, K of the set of opposing grooves 38a, 38b only when a second load on the second latch exceeds a second load threshold.

Turning now to fig. 4-6, additional embodiments of the connector housings 40, 50 and 60 include first and second sets of opposing grooves (44 and 46, 54 and 56, 64 and 66) at respective ends of the connector housings 40, 50 and 60. The connector housing 40 (fig. 4) includes hourglass shaped grooves 44, 46 to form a spring mechanism having a constriction between respective pivot points at respective ends of the grooves 44, 46. The connector housing 50 (fig. 5) includes curved shaped grooves 54, 56 to form a spring mechanism having a constriction between respective pivot points at respective ends of the grooves 54, 56. The connector housing 60 (fig. 6) includes barbell-shaped grooves 64, 66 to form a spring mechanism having a constriction between respective pivot points at respective ends of the grooves 64, 66. Many other examples of suitable spring mechanisms will be apparent to those of skill in the art, given the benefit of this specification and the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that in other embodiments, the pin structure may be provided on the connector housing and the groove structure may be provided on the latch.

Turning now to fig. 7A-7C, an embodiment of a latch 70 suitable for use with the connector housings described herein may include a set of opposing pins 72 and 74. The pin may snap into a recess of the connector housing and may be of sufficient diameter to remain positioned at the pivot point unless acted upon with sufficient load to translate the latch 70 and pins 72, 74 from one pivot point to the other. For example, the material of the pins 72, 74 and/or the grooves may have an elasticity or spring force to squeeze the pins 72, 74 between constrictions in the grooves with sufficient force.

Turning now to fig. 8A-8C, another latch 80 embodiment suitable for use with the connector housings described herein may include a hole 82 for receiving a rod (rod) or pin (e.g., not shown, but made of metal, plastic, or other suitable material). The pin may snap into a groove of the connector housing and may have a sufficient diameter to remain positioned at the pivot point unless sufficient load is applied thereto to translate the latch 80 and pin from one pivot point to the other. For example, the material of the pin and/or the groove may have an elasticity or springiness to squeeze between constrictions in the groove with sufficient force.

Some embodiments may advantageously provide a connector latch design with a release mechanism for DIMM shock failure mitigation. As memory capacity on a platform motherboard increases (e.g., 12 DIMMs, 24 DIMMs, 32 DIMMs, 48 DIMMs, etc.) and DIMM heatsink masses increase (e.g., DDR4 DIMM heatsink masses 30 grams, 40 grams, 50 grams, 60 grams, etc.), board level shock testing may become a point of failure (e.g., actual test failure or simulated test failure). In one example with 48 DIMMs, the flex (deflection) of the motherboard may be significantly higher due to the total DIMM mass compared to a platform with fewer DIMMs. The increased mass may significantly increase the risk of shock failure of the DIMM connector due to excessive board deflection.

Common DIMM connector failure modes under impact can include latch damage. Another common failure mode of shock with more robust designs for DIMM latches is the DIMM connector pad j lead pulling out of the connector housing. Both of these failure modes may have the same root cause, i.e., heavy DIMM quality. Furthermore, with the increase in connector count and mass, the risk of surface mounted DIMM connector solder joint shock failures will increase. At the component level, DIMM quality is expected to increase due to increased thermal power. At the board level, an increase in the number of DIMMs is also expected due to the increased memory capacity required. The risk of shock will continue to increase for DIMM connector failures and a component level solution will be very beneficial.

Some embodiments may advantageously mitigate failures under impact loads with a DIMM connector latch design that includes a spring mechanism that allows the DIMM latch to extend under impact loads and allows the DIMM to be repositioned back to the DIMM connector after the impact loads. Some embodiments advantageously allow more board flex and reduce potential DIMM connector damage. Some embodiments may also avoid the more common DIMM pop failure mode after shock testing. For example, some embodiments may include cooperating structures disposed between the connector body, latch, and circuit board to allow partial disengagement of the circuit board under heavy impacts while retaining the circuit board in the connector body so that the circuit board may be easily relocated altogether.

Examples of suitable cooperating structures include any of a variety of slot/tab (tab) structures, pin/groove structures, rod/channel structures, etc., configured to allow the latch to translate under impact loads. When the circuit board becomes partially disengaged due to impact loading, the stress on the latches and connector body may be significantly reduced (e.g., the motherboard may bend more while transferring less stress to the latches and/or connector body than when the circuit board is fully seated). Advantageously, some embodiments may reduce or eliminate DIMM connector damage under shock loads, save cost for various system level shock solutions (e.g., dampers, etc.), and may not affect the wiring on the circuit board or motherboard.

Turning now to fig. 9A-9B, an embodiment of a connector housing 90 may include a barbell-shaped groove 92 for receiving an insertion/ejection latch 94. When the latch 94 is in the installed position, the recess 92 allows the latch 94 at the pivot to move from the bottom side (fig. 9A) to the top side (fig. 9B) when the pulling force exceeds the design threshold for impact loading. During DIMM insertion and ejection (e.g., normal mounting process), the latch 94 will only rotate along the bottom pivot point rather than move vertically. Vertical motion occurs only under high impact loads, which relaxes high stress on the latches 94, j leads and solder joints due to high plate deflection. Advantageously, the latch 94 is captured (captive) and does not fall after a relaxing motion. Because the loosening motion is visible, if the impact load pulls the latch 94 upward, the latch 94 can easily be pushed downward back to its original position.

Additional notes and examples:

example 1 includes a connector housing for a circuit board, comprising: the connector includes a connector body for receiving the circuit board, and a release mechanism mechanically coupled to the connector body to release stress on the connector housing and maintain the circuit board received in the connector body under a load that exceeds a load threshold.

Example 2 includes the connector housing of example 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises: a latch for retaining the circuit board in the connector body, wherein the latch is mechanically coupled to the connector body with a structure that allows the latch to translate under the load that exceeds the load threshold.

Example 3 includes the connector housing of example 2, wherein the structure that allows the latch to translate under the load that exceeds the load threshold comprises: a groove disposed in one of the connector body and the latch to allow the latch to translate relative to the connector body under the load that exceeds the load threshold.

Example 4 includes the connector housing of example 3, wherein the groove comprises: a first pivot point for keeping the circuit board fully seated in the connector when the load on the latch is less than or equal to the load threshold, and a second pivot point for keeping the circuit board partially seated in the connector body when the load on the latch exceeds the load threshold.

Example 5 includes the connector housing of example 4, further comprising: a spring configured to allow translation of the latch from the first pivot point to the second pivot point only when the load on the latch exceeds the load threshold.

Example 6 includes the connector housing of any one of examples 3 to 5, wherein the connector body includes a slot to receive the circuit board.

Example 7 includes the connector housing of example 6, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the groove is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the slot.

Example 8 includes the connector housing of any one of examples 1 to 7, wherein the circuit board includes a memory card.

Example 9 includes the connector housing of any of examples 1-8, wherein the circuit board comprises a dual in-line memory module.

Example 10 includes a connector for a memory card, comprising: a connector housing including an elongated slot for receiving the memory card, the connector housing comprising: a first set of opposing grooves at a first end of the elongated slot, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the first set of opposing grooves is transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot, and a second set of opposing grooves at a second end of the elongated slot opposite the first end, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the second set of opposing grooves is transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot, a first latch received within the first set of opposing grooves of the connector housing, and a second latch received within the second set of opposing grooves of the connector housing.

Example 11 includes the connector of example 10, wherein the first set of opposing grooves includes a first pivot point at a first end of the first set of opposing grooves and a second pivot point at a second end of the first set of opposing grooves, and the second set of opposing grooves includes a first pivot point at a first end of the second set of opposing grooves and a second pivot point at a second end of the second set of opposing grooves.

Example 12 includes the connector of example 11, wherein the first set of opposing grooves includes a first spring to allow translation of the first latch between the first pivot point and the second pivot point of the first set of opposing grooves only when a load on the first latch exceeds a load threshold, and the second set of opposing grooves includes a second spring to allow translation of the second latch between the first pivot point and the second pivot point of the second set of opposing grooves only when the load on the second latch exceeds the load threshold.

Example 13 includes the connector of any of examples 11-12, wherein respective second pivot points of the first and second sets of opposing grooves are positioned relative to respective first pivot points of the first and second sets of opposing grooves to relieve stress on the respective first and second latches under impact load when the first and second latches are located at the respective second pivot points.

Example 14 includes the connector of any one of examples 10-13, wherein respective longitudinal centerlines of the first and second sets of opposing grooves are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot.

Example 15 includes the connector of any one of examples 10 to 14, wherein the memory card includes a dual in-line memory module.

Example 16 includes a connector housing for a circuit board substrate, comprising: a first housing portion including an elongated slot for receiving a circuit board substrate, a second housing portion mechanically coupled to the first housing portion at one end of the elongated slot, the second housing portion including a first recess for receiving a latch, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the first recess is transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot, and a third housing portion mechanically coupled to the first housing portion at one end of the elongated slot and opposite the second housing portion, the third housing portion including a second recess for receiving the latch, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the second recess is aligned with a longitudinal centerline of the first recess and the second recess is directly opposite the first recess.

Example 17 includes the connector housing of example 16, wherein the first groove includes a first pivot point at a first end of the first groove and a second pivot point at a second end of the first groove, and the second groove includes a first pivot point at a first end of the second groove and a second pivot point at a second end of the second groove.

Example 18 includes the connector housing of example 17, wherein the first and second grooves include springs to allow translation of the latch between the respective first and second pivot points of the first and second grooves only when a load on the latch exceeds a load threshold.

Example 19 includes the connector housing of any one of examples 17-18, wherein respective second pivot points of the first and second grooves are positioned relative to respective first pivot points of the first and second grooves for relieving stress on the latch under impact loads when the latch is located at the respective second pivot points.

Example 20 includes the connector housing of any one of examples 16-19, wherein respective longitudinal centerlines of the first and second grooves are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot.

Example 21 includes the connector housing of any one of examples 16 to 20, wherein the circuit board substrate includes a memory card.

Example 22 includes the connector housing of any one of examples 16 to 21, wherein the circuit board substrate includes a dual in-line memory module.

Example 23 includes the connector housing of any one of examples 16-22, further comprising a fourth housing portion mechanically coupled to the first housing portion at another end of the elongated slot opposite the second and third housing portions, the fourth housing portion including a set of opposing grooves for receiving the second latch, wherein a longitudinal centerline of the set of opposing grooves is transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the elongated slot, wherein the set of opposing grooves includes a first pivot point at a first end of the set of opposing grooves and a second pivot point at a second end of the set of opposing grooves, and wherein the set of opposing grooves includes a second spring for allowing translation of the second latch between the respective first and second pivot points of the set of opposing grooves only when a second load on the second latch exceeds a second load threshold.

Example 24 includes a connector for a circuit board substrate, comprising: the circuit board assembly includes a slot unit for receiving the circuit board substrate, a latch unit for holding the circuit board substrate in the slot unit, a relaxation unit for relaxing stress on the latch unit during an impact load on the latch unit while holding the circuit board substrate.

Example 25 includes the connector of example 24, wherein the release unit includes a groove unit to allow the latch unit to translate during the impact load.

Example 26 includes the connector of example 25, wherein the groove unit includes: a first pivot unit for retaining the circuit board in the slot unit when the load on the latch unit is less than or equal to the load threshold, and a second pivot unit for retaining the circuit board when the load on the latch unit exceeds the load threshold.

Example 27 includes the connector of any one of examples 25 to 26, further comprising: a spring unit for allowing the latch unit to translate only when a load on the latch unit exceeds a load threshold.

Example 28 includes the connector of any one of examples 25-27, wherein the respective longitudinal centerlines of the groove units are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the slot unit.

Example 29 includes the connector of any one of examples 24 to 28, wherein the circuit board substrate includes a memory card.

Example 30 includes the connector of any one of examples 24 to 29, wherein the circuit board substrate includes a dual in-line memory module.