Connector Holding Frame with Guided Latching for Module Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding frames for connector modules are not user-friendly, particularly when replacing individual connector modules, leading to potential damage and jamming due to incorrect orientation and limited comfort in assembly and installation.
Innovation Solution
A holding frame design featuring a base frame with parallel longitudinal and transverse walls, equipped with latch and spring elements that have multiple reversibly bendable holding and guiding portions, ensuring correct orientation and easy insertion/removal of connector modules through a system of latching windows and guiding contours, allowing for secure fixation and flexible module arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a holding frame with basic base frame and cheek parts is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to limited user-friendliness during assembly and module replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The holding frame incorporates resilient cheek parts that can dynamically change their state between a receiving state (for easy insertion of connector modules) and a holding state (for secure retention). This dynamic capability allows the cheek parts to automatically adapt during assembly and replacement operations, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient cheek parts utilize material property changes through elastic deformation. The cheek parts are designed to elastically deform when connector modules are inserted, allowing them to flex outward to receive modules and then spring back to securely hold them. This parameter change in the material state enables both easy assembly and secure retention without complex mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If orientation guides are provided in the holding frame, then the manufacturing precision is improved for correct module placement, but the reliability deteriorates when modules are inserted in wrong orientation causing damage or jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient cheek parts serve as a protective cushion that prevents damage from incorrect insertion. When a connector module is inserted in the wrong orientation, the elastic cheek parts can deform to absorb the impact and prevent hard contact between rigid components, thereby avoiding damage or jamming while still maintaining orientation guidance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harmful effect of wrong-oriented insertion is converted into a beneficial testing mechanism. The resilient cheek parts allow incorrect insertions to be detected through the deformation resistance they provide, giving users feedback that something is wrong without causing damage. This transforms the potential harm of wrong insertion into a useful error-detection feature that maintains reliability.
3Strength
If the holding frame is designed for secure retention of connector modules, then the strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates when replacing individual modules becomes troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient cheek parts provide dynamic retention that adapts to insertion and removal operations. During module replacement, the cheek parts can elastically deform to release their holding force, allowing easy removal. Once the module is reinserted, they automatically return to their holding state to provide secure retention. This dynamic behavior enables both strong retention and easy replacement operations.
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 comfort and ease of assembly, prevents module damage, and facilitates the correct orientation of connector modules, ensuring secure and efficient installation and removal processes.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation section which can assume an insertion state and/or deformation state and a holding state and which can preferably be provided by means of a punching-bending technique of a resilient sheet metal
Data Source
AI summary
A holding frame for connector includes different latch and spring elements on opposite side walls of a base frame attached and project with their respective guiding portion whose T- or L-shaped post. The guiding portion ensures through its catching funnel for a comfortable insertion of the connector modules in the correct polarization and thereby, and while holding the then in the holding frame latched connector modules, stabilizing the post. In the construction of the holding frame is a permutation of various latch and spring elements on the base frame by an interaction of their fixing contour with a fixing contour of the respective side wall of the base frame prevented. Due to the special shape of the latch and spring elements, a cable connection-side removal of a connector module is possible if the holding frame is already installed in a commercially available attachment housing.