Connector Holding Frame with Elastic Latches for Guided Module Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding frames for connector modules suffer from limited user-friendliness, particularly during assembly and replacement, leading to potential damage and jamming due to incorrect orientation and troublesome insertion/removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A holding frame design with a base frame and latch and spring elements featuring multiple reversibly bendable holding and guiding portions, ensuring correct orientation and easy insertion/removal of connector modules, even when installed in a housing, through a combination of elastic tabs and strategically positioned bending points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a holding frame with rigid fixing structure is used, then structural stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The holding frame incorporates elastic tabs with bending points that allow dynamic movement between a closed holding position and an open release position. This enables the structure to be rigid during operation while becoming flexible during insertion and removal, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic tabs change their mechanical parameters (stiffness, shape) through controlled bending at specific points. When bent beyond the bending point, the tabs transition from a stable holding state to an unstable release state, allowing easy removal while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple holding frame structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential damage and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The holding frame is segmented into multiple independent elastic tabs, each with its own bending points and holding positions. This segmentation allows each tab to function independently, preventing jamming while maintaining overall structural reliability, and keeps the manufacturing process simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic tabs are designed with predetermined bending points that act as cushioning elements. These bending points absorb excessive force during insertion and removal, preventing damage to the connector modules and the holding frame itself, thereby improving reliability without complicating manufacturing.
3Device complexity
If a holding frame without guiding portions is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to incorrect orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic tabs include asymmetric guiding portions with specific side contours that correspond to the connector module geometry. This asymmetry provides automatic orientation guidance during insertion, ensuring correct positioning without requiring complex alignment mechanisms, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving high orientation precision.
4Reliability
If a holding frame with multiple latch elements is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple latch functions are merged into a single integrated elastic tab structure. Each elastic tab contains multiple holding and guiding portions that work together as one unit, providing reliable multi-point latching without requiring separate latch elements, thereby maintaining low device complexity while achieving high holding reliability.
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 design enhances user-friendliness, prevents damage, and facilitates smooth assembly and disassembly of connector modules, ensuring reliable and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The holding frame has a base frame and latch and spring elements, each having at least two holding and guiding portions, which are reversibly bendable
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
It is proposed a holding frame (1) for connector modules (4), which is particularly convenient to install and use. For this purpose, on both sides different latch and spring elements (3', 3'') on opposite side walls (2', 2'') of a base frame (200) attached and project with their respective guiding portion (31) whose T-or L-shaped Post (21). Preferably, the guiding portion (31) ensures through its catching funnel for a comfortable insertion of the connector modules (4) in the correct polarization and thereby, and while holding the then in the holding frame (1) latched connector modules (4), stabilizing the post (21). In the construction of the holding frame (1) is a permutation of various latch and spring elements (3', 3'') on the base frame (200) by an interaction of their fixing contour (K33', K33") with a fixing contour (K3`, K3'') of the respective side wall (2', 2") of the base frame (200) prevented. Due to the special shape of the latch and spring elements (3', 3"), a cable connection-side removal of a connector module (4) is also possible if the holding frame (1) is already installed in a commercially available attachment housing (5).