Biased Latch Electrical Connector Prevents Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors experience unwanted movement due to manufacturing tolerances, which is problematic in applications requiring precise alignment, as resilient beams deflect and overtravel during mating, leading to play between connectors.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a latch with a biasing member that cooperates with the mating connector to bias the latch's reference surface against the mating connector's surface, preventing unwanted movement by engaging a locking surface and maintaining precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If resilient beams are permitted to overtravel mating surfaces to return to unstressed position, then the beams can facilitate movement during mating, but the electrical connector experiences unwanted movement or play relative to the mating connector
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member applies a preliminary counteracting force to the latch to compensate for the overtravel movement. As the latch deflects during mating, the biasing member resists this movement and maintains the latch in a controlled position, preventing excessive play while still allowing necessary deflection for mating operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the mechanical parameters of the latch system by introducing a biasing member that changes the force-displacement characteristics. The biasing member alters the stiffness and positioning parameters of the latch, transforming it from a purely resilient deflection system to a controlled positioning system that maintains stability during operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerances are required for precise alignment, then manufacturing precision must be improved, but the movement between connectors due to beam deflection becomes unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is pre-configured to apply a constant biasing force that anticipates and compensates for manufacturing tolerances. This preliminary action ensures that even with variations in beam deflection due to manufacturing tolerances, the latch maintains consistent positioning and the connector achieves precise alignment without excessive play.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the latch is allowed to move freely during mating, then the resilient beams can deflect and return to unstressed position, but the connector experiences play and unwanted movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic balance between latch deflection and biasing force. The latch is designed to deflect during mating operations to accommodate alignment variations, while the biasing member dynamically adjusts the positioning to maintain stability. This dynamic system allows flexibility during mating while preventing unwanted play in the final assembled position.
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 biasing member ensures accurate and precise alignment of the electrical connector relative to the mating connector, eliminating unwanted movement and maintaining secure engagement.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member (50) resiliently deformable between a stressed and an unstressed position
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector with biased latch and method. The electrical connector has a housing and a latch which extends from the housing. The latch has a latching region and a biasing region. The latching region has a latching projection with a reference surface. The biasing region has a biasing member. The cooperation of the biasing member with a mating electrical connector and the reference surface with the mating electrical connector prevents the unwanted movement of the electrical connector relative to the mating electrical connector.