Low-profile card connectors aid miniaturisation

A new series of low-profile connectors for SD memory cards and MultiMediaCards features a height of just 4.65mm.

As miniaturisation of end user devices continues, manufacturers of memory connectors are also having to offer smaller versions of their products.

Additionally, suppliers must met stringent demands with regard to contacting, mechanical and electrical load and holding force.

At the same time, however, component assembly should remain easy and cost-effective.

In keeping with these requirements, Alps Electric Europa now provides a new series of low-profile connectors for SD memory cards and MultiMediaCards.

The new product family is designed as reverse-mount version with a standoff of 1.8mm, and it features a compact, low-profile design with external dimensions of only 27.0 x 29.0 x 4.65mm.

The connectors offer an 8.5mm ejection stroke for the storage media and a push-push mechanism that ensures easy handling through manual insertion and removal of the memory card.

These robust card connectors are manufactured with great precision and guarantee an operating life of 10,000 mating cycles.

Their operating temperatures range between -25 and +60C.

Further technical specifications for the SCDA5 series include a maximum initial contact resistance of 100mohm at the connector contacts, an insulation resistance of up to 1Gohm and a voltage proof of 100V AC for 1min.

As countermeasures for momentary power failures, the ground terminal is divided into two terminals (double contact).

The surface-mountable connectors are suitable for lead-free reflow soldering.

Moreover, the temperature consistent plastic material allows unproblematic and secure SMT assembly.

Alps' accumulated knowhow in high-precision micropress technology and its long-standing mechanical design expertise for memory card connectors made it possible to reach the high degree of miniaturisation that the SCDA5 series offers.

Thanks to their compact external dimensions, these new connectors will increase the degrees of design freedom for set makers, and thus help them produce thinner, more compact devices.

The SCDA5 series connectors are the ideal solution for applications in portable devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, digital cameras, digital camcorders and PCs - as well as for home AV equipment such as TVs, set-top boxes etc.

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