Multivoltage keyed electrical connector
First Claim
1. A connection scheme comprising:
- a first host interface providing a first voltage and having a first tab that includes a first tab segment and an adjacent second tab segment, the first tab protruding from a first side of the first host interface, the first tab identifying the first voltage;
a second host interface providing the first voltage and a second voltage and having a second tab that includes the second tab segment only, the second tab protruding from a first side of the second host interface, the second tab identifying the first and second voltages;
a third host interface providing the second voltage and having a third tab that includes the second tab segment and an adjacent third tab segment, the third tab protruding from a first side of the third host interface, the third tab identifying the second voltage;
a first circuit card interface operable at the first voltage, the first circuit card interface having a first notch in a first side of the first circuit card interface, the first notch mateable with the first tab and the second tab;
a second circuit card interface operable at the first and second voltages, the second circuit card interface having a second notch in a first side of the second circuit card interface, the second notch mateable with the first, second and third tabs; and
a third circuit card interface operable at the second voltage, the third circuit card interface having a third notch in a first side of the third circuit card interface, the third notch mateable with the second tab and the third tab.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connection system for providing a consumer-friendly connection between an expansion card and a host device. The host device includes a male connection while the expansion card includes a female connection. The male and female connections are arranged in a pattern that allows a combination of keyed voltage connections between the host device and expansion card when the supply voltage of the host and operating voltage of the card are compatible. The male connection includes six different supply voltage combinations that include a first voltage only, a second voltage only, a third voltage only, a first and second voltage only, a second and third voltage only, and a first, second and third voltage combination. In addition, the female connection includes six different expansion card operating voltage combinations that include a first voltage only, a second voltage only, a third voltage only, a first and second voltage only, a second and third voltage only, and a first, second and third voltage combination.
141 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A connection scheme comprising:
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a first host interface providing a first voltage and having a first tab that includes a first tab segment and an adjacent second tab segment, the first tab protruding from a first side of the first host interface, the first tab identifying the first voltage; a second host interface providing the first voltage and a second voltage and having a second tab that includes the second tab segment only, the second tab protruding from a first side of the second host interface, the second tab identifying the first and second voltages; a third host interface providing the second voltage and having a third tab that includes the second tab segment and an adjacent third tab segment, the third tab protruding from a first side of the third host interface, the third tab identifying the second voltage; a first circuit card interface operable at the first voltage, the first circuit card interface having a first notch in a first side of the first circuit card interface, the first notch mateable with the first tab and the second tab; a second circuit card interface operable at the first and second voltages, the second circuit card interface having a second notch in a first side of the second circuit card interface, the second notch mateable with the first, second and third tabs; and a third circuit card interface operable at the second voltage, the third circuit card interface having a third notch in a first side of the third circuit card interface, the third notch mateable with the second tab and the third tab. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A connection scheme comprising:
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a first circuit card interface operable at a first voltage, the first circuit card interface having a first notch in a first side of the first circuit card interface, the first notch including a first notch segment and an adjacent second notch segment, the first notch identifying the first voltage; a second circuit card interface operable at the first voltage and a second voltage, the second circuit card interface having a second notch in a first side of the second circuit card interface, the second notch including the first and second notch segments and a third notch segment adjacent the second notch segment, the second notch identifying the first voltage and the second voltage; and a third circuit card interface operable at the second voltage, the third circuit card interface having a third notch in a first side of the third circuit card interface, the third notch including the second and third notch segments, the third notch identifying the second voltage. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A connection scheme comprising:
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a first host interface providing a first voltage and having a first tab that includes a first tab segment and an adjacent second tab segment, the first tab extending from a first edge of the first host interface, the first tab identifying the first voltage; a second host interface providing the first voltage and a second voltage and having a second tab that includes only the second tab segment, the second tab extending from a first edge of the second host interface, the second tab identifying the first and second voltages; and a third host interface providing the second voltage and having a third tab that includes the second tab segment and an adjacent third tab segment, the third tab extending from a first edge of the third host interface, the third tab identifying the second voltage. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification