Electrical Connector Latch Assembly with Fulcrum Pivot
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors lack a reliable mechanism to securely attach and detach from complementary connectors without the risk of accidental unmating, particularly when mounted on printed circuit boards or backpanels.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a latch assembly with an actuator and pivot member supported by a fulcrum, allowing the latch to pivot between latched and unlatched positions, ensuring secure attachment and easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to secure the electrical connector, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a latch member with a latch portion and an actuator portion, a pivot member, and a fulcrum. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the fulcrum-pivot interaction. When the connector is inserted, the latch automatically engages without requiring additional actuation mechanisms, reducing complexity while ensuring secure connection.
2Ease of operation
If a latch assembly with actuator is implemented, then the ease of operation for secure attachment and detachment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fulcrum acts as an intermediary element between the actuator and the latch portion. This simple fulcrum-pivot interaction mediates the motion transformation, allowing easy actuation while avoiding complex linkage mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanism to achieve simple latch engagement, the design inverts the approach by using a simple fulcrum-supported pivot that naturally provides the required motion transformation through its geometric configuration.
3Reliability
If the latch is designed to prevent accidental unmating, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for intentional detachment may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism transitions from a static locked position to a dynamic release state through the actuator's motion. The fulcrum-supported pivot enables smooth transition between states, ensuring that intentional detachment is as easy as pushing the actuator while preventing accidental displacement.
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 provides a secure locking mechanism that prevents accidental disconnection while allowing for easy release, enhancing the reliability and usability of electrical connectors in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fulcrum supported by the housing body... causes the pivot member to ride along the fulcrum, thereby pivoting the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector can includes a connector housing that includes a housing body and further includes at least one fulcrum supported by the housing body. The electrical connector further includes at least one electrical contact supported by the connector housing, the at least one electrical contact configured to mate with a complementary electrical contact of a complementary electrical connector. The electrical connector further includes a latch assembly. The latch assembly can include an actuator and a latch. The actuator can have an actuator portion, an attachment portion, and at least one arm that extends between the actuator portion and the attachment portion. The latch can have a latch body that defines an attachment portion that is configured to be attached to the attachment portion of the actuator, such that movement of the actuator in a predetermined direction causes the pivot member to ride along the fulcrum, thereby pivoting the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position.