From: PCBman (pcbman_at_ix.netcom.com)
Date: Thu Jun 14 2001 - 19:46:27 PDT
Sean Luke observed:
> I agree. Absolutely astonishing. Though I might have two suggestions
> after staring at the pictures:
>
> 1. The port is white. Surely you can get it in black?
Actually, it is gray, the same as the original dongle. In fact, it is the
same part.
It is a special part made for the GeoPort (notice the 9th pin).
> 2. The port doesn't appear to be holding on to the plastic wall. One of
> the problems with the Interconnect Port is that its only support is the
> solder joint connections to the motherboard, so after repeated stress they
> break and it collapses. What are the connections which keep the serial
> port firmly in place against what undoubtably will be even greater stress?
All units have a notch milled in the top of the connector that mates with
the slight
step in the housing.
As you quite rightly point out, the NI Port becomes flaky because of a
combination
of a number of facts:
It is a surface mounted connector.
It has to deal with a large moment of force due to the dongle.
It has a fairly aggressive hold on its' mating plug, requiring a good pull
to release.
My connector, on the other hand, is thru-hole mounted. This provides a much
stronger interface.
The body is made of glass-filled polyester and is very durable. The cheaper
black
plastic connectors, while initially aesthetic, eventually show the wear of
slightly
misaligned pins scraping the front face.
The insertion force for this connector is very gentle, just enough for a
good, stable
connection but easy to put in and take out.
I have also provided two mounting holes in the PCB to fit screws if you
wish.
I have found these to be unnecessary.
Once fitted, I think you will find things quite snug.
Please bear in mind that the overriding goal was to design a product that
would
not alter the MP2x00 in any way. I have achieved that using off the shelf
parts.
A custom connector would have been prohibitively expensive.
I hope this answers your questions.
Regards,
David Humphreys
Designer
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