Compliant Micro Latch for High-Speed Signal Sub-Slot Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sub-slot pluggable modules require significant real estate for latches to provide mating force, making it difficult to achieve physical compliance and accommodate assembly tolerances in high-speed networking applications, especially in densely packed platforms.
Innovation Solution
A compliant micro latch design that uses a single latch with a latching pin engaging a cantilever beam spring on a compliant faceplate insert, combined with a torsion spring and hard stop, to apply a sufficient biasing force for proper mating of high-speed connectors while minimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional latch is used to provide mating force, then the appropriate mating force is achieved, but the latch occupies significant real estate on the faceplate
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is segmented into a two-part design where the first latch engages a first channel and the second latch engages a second channel. This segmentation allows the latching function to be distributed across multiple smaller engagement points rather than requiring one large latch mechanism, thereby reducing the total faceplate area occupied while maintaining the required mating force through distributed mechanical engagement.
2Area of stationary object
If the latch size is reduced to minimize real estate, then faceplate space is saved, but the latch cannot provide sufficient physical compliance to accommodate assembly tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates dynamic compliance through the interaction between the latch arms and the channels. The channels are designed with specific geometries that allow the latch to flex and adapt during engagement, providing physical compliance to accommodate assembly tolerances. This dynamic behavior enables smaller latch dimensions while maintaining the necessary compliance for reliable mating.
3Reliability
If multiple latches are used to ensure compliance, then assembly tolerances are accommodated, but the number of latches increases the complexity and real estate requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The design merges the latching function into a single integrated mechanism that operates through a unified motion. The first and second latches work together as a coordinated system, engaging their respective channels through a single actuation motion. This merging approach maintains the compliance benefits of multi-point engagement while reducing the overall complexity compared to having completely separate latch mechanisms.
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 micro latch design effectively provides a 40 lbs force for full mating of high-speed connectors, accommodating ±0.030″ compliance with reduced real estate, enabling compact and compliant engagement in high-density networking systems.
Implementation Method 1
The spring on the compliant faceplate insert can be a cantilever beam spring
Implementation Method 2
Each of the one or more micro latches can include a torsion spring and a hard stop which keeps the corresponding micro latch open
Data Source
AI summary
A module includes a physical form factor with one or more openings in a faceplate for receiving a corresponding sub-slot module; module high-speed connectors configured to mate with high-speed connectors in the corresponding sub-slot module; and one or more micro latches for each of the one or more openings to engage a compliant faceplate insert on the corresponding sub-slot module, wherein a single micro latch is utilized to engage a single sub-slot module to provide built-in physical compliancy with a biasing force sufficient to engage the high-speed connectors with the module high-speed connectors. Each of the one or more micro latches includes a latching pin which engages an integrated channel in the compliant faceplate insert on the corresponding sub-slot module and which engages an end of the integrated channel to apply a force to a spring on the compliant faceplate insert.