Electrical Connector Handle Layout for Dense Patch Panel Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors require a handle that protrudes excessively during rotation, necessitating a large space between connectors, which limits their close arrangement on patch panels.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector design incorporates a rotating shaft and handle mechanism where the handle is kept on the wire outlet side, allowing the handle and wire to occupy the same space, reducing the need for additional space between connectors, and a flat shape with a parallel handle rotation to adjacent connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle is allowed to rotate freely during locking operation, then the locking mechanism can be actuated effectively, but the handle protrudes excessively and requires large space between connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the handle rotation path with the wire outlet side space, making the handle move within the existing space rather than requiring additional space between connectors. The handle is designed to move along a path that coincides with the wire outlet area, merging two space requirements into one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rotation dimension by orienting the rotating shaft perpendicular to the connector's main body, allowing the handle to rotate in a plane parallel to the virtual flat extending surface of the housing. This dimensional change enables the handle to stay within the wire outlet side space rather than protruding laterally.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple electrical connectors are arranged closely on a patch panel, then space utilization is optimized, but the handle cannot move sufficiently to actuate the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handle's movement space with the wire outlet side area, allowing the handle to rotate within the space already occupied by the wire outlet rather than requiring additional lateral space. This enables close arrangement of connectors while maintaining adequate handle movement capability.
3Ease of operation
If the handle moves to the space between two electrical connectors, then the locking mechanism can be actuated, but the connectors cannot be arranged closely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the handle rotation to occur in a plane parallel to the housing's flat extending surface, with the rotating shaft perpendicular to this surface. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the handle to rotate without protruding into the space between adjacent connectors arranged in the vertical direction, thereby increasing arrangement density while maintaining operability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an electrical connector, including a housing, a locking mechanism, and an actuating component. The housing has a wire outlet side; a wire connected to an electrical connection point is led out of the housing from the wire outlet side; the locking mechanism may move to a locked position or a released position relative to the housing; at the locked position, the housing is fixed relative to another connector; and at the released position, the housing may be separated from the another connector.