Biasing Assembly Spring Positioning for Latching Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latching mechanisms for communication modules in host devices face issues with poorly positioned springs due to deficient installation processes and poorly secured springs that can jam, leading to component wear and functional failure.
Innovation Solution
A biasing assembly with a slider, latch cover, and spring mechanism that includes a stopper feature and spring guide for precise installation and capture of springs between the latch cover and stopper, ensuring the latching mechanism returns to a non-activated position and maintains it securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biasing assemblies are used with deficient installation processes, then the latching mechanism can operate, but the springs become poorly positioned and poorly secured, leading to jamming and component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The latch cover is positioned in a first position during assembly that allows the spring to be properly installed onto the stopper feature. This preliminary positioning ensures that subsequent actions (spring installation, latch cover transition to second position) result in the spring being correctly secured between the latch cover and stopper feature, preventing the poor positioning and jamming issues described in the background
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper feature acts as an intermediary element that the spring rests against during installation and operation. By providing this intermediate reference point, the spring is precisely positioned and secured between the latch cover and stopper feature, eliminating the poor spring positioning and securing problems that cause jamming and wear
2Ease of manufacture
If springs are not properly secured in the biasing assembly, then assembly is simpler, but the springs jam during operation causing functional failure
Solution Approach 1:
The latch cover is preliminarily positioned in a first position that facilitates easy spring installation onto the stopper feature. After the spring is installed, the latch cover is transitioned to a second position that secures the spring in place. This two-stage process maintains ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable spring operation without jamming
Solution Approach 2:
The spring installation process is extracted into distinct stages: first installing the spring onto the stopper feature when the latch cover is in the first position, then transitioning the latch cover to the second position to secure it. This separation of installation and securing actions simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring the spring is properly secured to prevent jamming
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 effectively secures communication modules within host devices by ensuring proper spring positioning and return force, preventing jamming and wear, and maintaining reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is positioned between the latch cover and the stopper feature to bias the latching mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An example embodiment includes a communication module. The communication module includes a shell, a printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”) at least partially positioned within the shell, an optical transmitter electrically coupled to the PCBA, an optical receiver electrically coupled to the PCBA, and a biasing assembly. The biasing assembly includes a latch cover configured to be attached to the shell, a slider, and a spring. The slider is configured to operate a latching mechanism that releasably connects the module to a host device through a mechanical connection. The slider includes a main body including a first end, an arm extending from the first end, and a stopper feature extending from the arm. The spring is positioned between the latch cover and the stopper feature to bias the latching mechanism.