Connector Dielectric Latching for Air Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector designs face challenges in controlling the air gap between dielectrics due to multiple positional tolerances, which affects signal integrity, and are prone to disconnection under pull-out forces due to indirect securing of the dielectric by the latch.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a dielectric with a latching feature extending from its body, a shield around the dielectric, and a housing with a receiving passageway and latch that directly engages the latching feature to secure the dielectric and shield, reducing positional tolerance stacking and enhancing resistance to pull-out forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the dielectric is indirectly held by a cantilevered arm of the latch engaging the shield, then the shield is held in place, but multiple positional tolerances accumulate making it difficult to control the air gap between dielectrics, negatively impacting signal integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dielectric from indirect holding via the shield and latch arm, and directly engages it with the latch body through a dedicated latching feature. This eliminates the intermediate shielding engagement path that caused tolerance accumulation, directly improving air gap control while simplifying the securing mechanism's functional path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated latching feature on the dielectric as an intermediary element that directly connects the latch to the dielectric, bypassing the need for the latch arm to engage the shield. This new intermediary feature eliminates the chain of tolerances (latch arm to shield, shield to dielectric) and provides direct positional control.
2Reliability
If the dielectric is indirectly secured by the latch through engagement with the shield, then the shield is held in place, but the indirect securing is not sufficient to resist pull-out forces, leading to disconnection and/or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dielectric securing function from the indirect shield-engagement path and creates a direct engagement path where the latch body directly engages the latching feature on the dielectric. This direct path provides superior resistance to pull-out forces compared to the indirect path through the shield and latch arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching feature includes a latching surface with a specific curvature that complements the curved engagement surface of the latch. This curved geometry creates a mechanically advantageous engagement that resists pull-out forces more effectively than flat or linear engagement surfaces.
3Strength
If a latch arm directly engages the shield to hold it in place, then the shield is secured, but the dielectric is only indirectly held, creating insufficient resistance to cable pull-out forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shield engagement function and dielectric engagement function into a single integrated latch structure. The latch body simultaneously engages both the shield (for lateral positioning) and the dielectric's latching feature (for axial securing), eliminating the need for separate engagement mechanisms and simplifying the overall securing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch structure is designed with multi-functionality: the latch body serves both to engage the shield for lateral positioning and to engage the dielectric's latching feature for axial securing. This universal engagement approach reduces the number of separate components needed while improving overall connection strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a dielectric having a body and a latching feature extending from the body, a shield disposed around the body of the dielectric, and a housing having a receiving passageway and a latch extending into the receiving passageway. The latching feature extends through the shield. The latch engages the latching feature of the dielectric to secure the dielectric and the shield in the receiving passageway of the housing.