Configurable Guide Hardware for Connector Keying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide hardware sets for connector systems are limited in providing sufficient keying configurations, requiring multiple sets to achieve the necessary arrangements, which increases part cost, assembly time, and reduces available space on backplanes and daughter cards.
Innovation Solution
A configurable guide hardware set featuring a guide receptacle with a keyway ring that can be positioned in multiple angular orientations, allowing a single set to provide unique keying configurations for each connector, eliminating the need for multiple guide hardware sets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple guide hardware sets are installed to increase keying configurations, then the number of potential keying configurations increases, but part cost increases, assembly time increases, and available space on the backplane decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide receptacle is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides alignment guidance for connectors and simultaneously provides keying protection through the rotatable keyway ring. A single guide receptacle with a rotatable keyway ring can provide multiple keying configurations (e.g., 5 configurations with 5 positions), eliminating the need for multiple separate guide hardware sets and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyway ring is designed to be rotatable relative to the guide receptacle housing, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the keying arrangement. The keyway ring can be rotated to different angular positions (e.g., 0°, 72°, 144°, 216°, 288° for a 5-position system) to provide different keying configurations, enabling a single static component to achieve multiple functional states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple guide hardware sets are installed to increase keying configurations, then the number of potential keying configurations increases, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide hardware is segmented into separable components: the guide receptacle housing and the rotatable keyway ring. This segmentation allows the keyway ring to be independently rotated and positioned to different angular orientations, enabling quick reconfiguration of keying arrangements without requiring complete disassembly or replacement of the entire guide hardware set, thereby reducing assembly time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple guide hardware sets are installed to increase keying configurations, then the number of potential keying configurations increases, but available space on the backplane decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A single guide receptacle with a rotatable keyway ring serves as a universal solution that can accommodate multiple keying configurations (e.g., 5 different configurations from one component). This eliminates the need to install multiple separate guide hardware sets (e.g., 3 sets would be needed for 125 configurations), thereby significantly reducing the footprint and available space requirements on the backplane.
4Area of stationary object
If a single guide hardware set is used instead of multiple sets, then available space on the backplane increases, but the number of potential keying configurations may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The keyway ring's rotatable design enables a single guide receptacle to dynamically adapt to multiple keying configurations. By rotating the keyway ring to different angular positions, the system can provide sufficient keying configurations (e.g., 5 configurations from one receptacle) without requiring additional hardware sets, thus maintaining both space efficiency and adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Configurable guide hardware (110) is provided for aligning two associated connectors (102, 106) that are mounted on different circuit cards (104, 108). The guide hardware includes a guide receptacle (122) that is mounted to one of the circuit cards. The guide receptacle includes a housing (132) that defines a channel (126) and a keyway ring (138) that is held in the channel. The guide receptacle is configured to receive a pin (128) of a guide plug (124) in the channel through a central opening (140) of the keyway ring. The keyway ring includes a receptacle keying feature (142) along an inner perimeter (144). The keyway ring is selectively positionable to locate the receptacle keying feature in multiple pre-defined angular orientations relative to the housing. The pin of the guide plug may also be selectively positionable in multiple pre-defined angular orientations.