Outwardly Biased Latches for Electrical Connector Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The MATE-N-LOK connector system experiences inconsistent retention of pin and socket contacts within the housing, leading to potential failure and diminished performance, necessitating improved retention and easy extractability.
Innovation Solution
The connector system incorporates outwardly biased latches on pin and socket contacts, which are integral with the body and include internal biasing members and angled external engagement members for secure retention within the housing and easy extraction using a specialized tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pin and socket contacts are used in the MATE-N-LOK connector system, then the connector structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the retention of contacts within the housing is inconsistent and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The contact structure is segmented into distinct functional elements: a body portion, outwardly biased latches with internal biasing members, and angled external engagement members. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, providing consistent retention while maintaining manufacturability through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The latches are designed to be outwardly biased and movable, transitioning between engaged and disengaged states. The internal biasing members provide dynamic retention force that automatically adjusts to maintain consistent contact retention within the housing, resolving the reliability issue while keeping the structure manageable
2Ease of operation
If traditional pin and socket contacts are used, then the connector design is simple, but the contacts are difficult to extract when mis-wiring occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The angled external engagement members act as intermediaries between the contact body and the extraction tool. These members provide a dedicated interface for tool engagement, enabling easy extraction when mis-wiring occurs while maintaining a relatively simple overall contact structure
Solution Approach 2:
The design explicitly incorporates features for extraction functionality. The outwardly biased latches with external engagement members can be selectively disengaged by an extraction tool, allowing contacts to be removed when necessary without requiring complete disassembly of the connector housing
3Reliability
If contacts are made more secure within the housing, then retention reliability improves, but the ability to extract contacts when needed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The latches are designed with dynamic characteristics, being outwardly biased and movable between states. This allows them to provide strong retention under normal conditions while being easily disengaged by an extraction tool when repair is needed, simultaneously improving reliability and ease of repair
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making contacts permanently fixed or requiring destructive removal, the design inverts the approach by incorporating built-in extraction features. The external engagement members are specifically designed to be engaged by tools, making extraction easier while maintaining secure retention during normal operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides consistent and reliable retention of contacts within the housing while allowing for easy extraction when necessary, reducing the likelihood of accidental dislodgment and facilitating correction of mis-wiring issues.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the latches is typically formed from the same material as the body portion of the contact and is integral therewith and further includes an internal biasing member and an angled external engagement member formed at the end of the biasing member for frictionally engaging both the contact cavity and the extraction tool
Implementation Method 2
an angled external engagement member formed at the end of the biasing member for frictionally engaging both the contact cavity and the extraction tool
Data Source
AI summary
A connector system for use with electronics is provided. This system includes at least one electrical contact that further includes a wire retaining portion and an elongated body portion. The body portion of the contact further includes at least one outwardly biased latch that is adapted to engage both a contact cavity formed within a connector housing component and an extraction tool designed to remove the contact from the housing component, if necessary. The latch is formed from the same material as the body portion of the contact and further includes an internal biasing member and an external engagement member formed at the end of the biasing member for frictionally engaging the housing component and the extraction tool.