A mathematical model relating card-edge connectors failure to normal force and lubrication in office dust environment

A study was undertaken to develop a mathematical model that correlates gold-plated card-edge connector reliability with contact design parameters in office-type corrosive gas and dust environments. The first phase of the study focused on connector behavior in an office dust environment. The authors describe the experiments, the statistical modeling approach, and the resultant mathematical model. This led to developing a novel expression for contact failure as a function of normal force and lubrication levels. Increasing contact normal force is found to decrease failure, whereas increasing lubrication levels (in the office dust environment) increase failure.<>