High-Speed Cable Connector Snap-Fit Lever Arm Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed cable connectors require large installation spaces due to manual button pressing in active modes and have weak retaining forces in passive modes, leading to misoperation.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed cable connector design featuring a snap-fit member with a lever arm rotating portion, clasp arms, and a pull tab that allows for compact structure and easy unlocking without additional plastic assistance, utilizing a metal snap-fit member with a fixing portion, clasp portion, and pull tab for efficient space-saving and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual button pressing mechanism is used for unlocking the clasp, then the connector can be reliably unlocked, but the installation space and operation space are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pressing a button to release the clasp, the patent uses a pull tab that, when pulled, rotates the lever arm to release the clasp. This inverts the traditional pressing action into a pulling action, achieving reliable unlocking while reducing the required space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lever arm that can rotate between a locked position (where it engages with the housing to secure the clasp) and an unlocked position. This dynamic mechanism allows the clasp to be securely held during normal operation but easily released when the pull tab is pulled, resolving the contradiction between reliability and space
2Ease of operation
If an external force is applied to release the clasp in passive mode, then the connector can be unlocked without pressing, but the retaining force is too weak and misoperation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arm is pre-configured in a locked position where it engages with a limiting structure in the housing, creating a strong retaining force that prevents accidental unlocking. When the pull tab is deliberately pulled, the lever arm rotates to disengage from this limiting structure, allowing controlled release. This preliminary locking action ensures both ease of intentional operation and reliability against misoperation
Solution Approach 2:
The lever arm acts as an intermediary between the pull tab and the clasp. When the pull tab is pulled, the lever arm rotates and mediates the force transmission to release the clasp. This intermediary mechanism provides mechanical advantage, allowing easy operation while maintaining strong retaining force during normal use
3Reliability
If additional plastic assistance is used for unlocking, then the connector can be reliably unlocked, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the unlocking function into the existing metal snap-fit member by integrating a pull tab and a lever arm rotating portion directly into the clasp structure. This eliminates the need for separate plastic components or additional unlocking mechanisms, achieving reliable unlocking while reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The metal snap-fit member is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the clamping force to secure the connector, incorporates the lever arm mechanism for unlocking, and includes the pull tab for user operation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated unlocking components, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
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 connector achieves a compact outer shape and reduced installation height with enhanced reliability by allowing the clasp to be unlocked through force application or pull tab operation, eliminating the need for additional plastic assistance and reducing misoperation risks.
Implementation Method 1
The main body portion includes a fixing portion, a lever arm rotating portion formed by bending upwards from a tail end of the fixing portion
Implementation Method 2
The pressing portion is fixedly connected to an end of the lever arm rotating portion; when the pressing portion is pulled, the lever arm rotates to release the clasp
Data Source
AI summary
A high-speed cable connector includes a housing, a PCB fixed in the housing, a cable electrically connected to the PCB and a snap-fit member. The snap-fit member includes a main body portion and a clasp portion. The main body portion includes a fixing portion, a lever arm rotating portion formed by bending upwards from the tail end of the fixing portion, and a pressing portion fixedly connected to the end of the lever arm rotating portion. The fixing portion is fixedly installed on the top of the housing. The clasp portion includes two clasp arms on two sides of the pressing portion and fixedly connected to the pressing portion. The ends of the clasp arms are respectively provided with a clasp protruding upwards. The height of the clasp is reduced by pressing the pressing portion and the unlocking of the connector is finally completed.