Electrical Connector Latch Assembly with Nested Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors face challenges in securely attaching to complementary connectors in space-constrained environments without increasing their footprint, as they often rely on latches that may not provide reliable retention.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a latch assembly with an actuator and arms that pivotally connect to a latch body, allowing for secure engagement and disengagement by rotating between latched and unlatched positions, utilizing a spring member for biasing and a pull tab for user-actuated release, ensuring reliable connection and disconnection without increasing the connector's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional latch is used to secure the electrical connector, then the connector can be reliably attached to the complementary connector, but the footprint of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is nested within the connector housing, with the latch body, arms, and actuator portion all contained within the existing connector footprint. The arms are received in recesses formed in the connector housing, allowing the latch mechanism to be integrated without increasing the overall connector size while maintaining reliable attachment
2Area of stationary object
If the latch assembly is designed with arms retained at an inwardly recessed location, then the connector footprint is minimized, but the complexity of the latch assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the latch body that rotates about a pivot axis, the arms that provide leverage, and the actuator portion that receives user input. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together within a compact footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The latch body is designed to rotate dynamically about a pivot axis between latched and unlatched positions. This dynamic movement allows the latch to transition between secure attachment and easy release states, providing both reliability and user control within a compact design
3Ease of operation
If the latch body rotates about a pivot axis to actuate the latch member, then the connector can be easily operated, but the precision of the latched position may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is designed to self-latch when the connector is mated, with the arms automatically engaging the complementary connector and the latch body rotating into the latched position without requiring precise manual positioning. The spring member provides automatic biasing to maintain the latched state
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 reliable and secure attachment and detachment of electrical connectors in limited spaces, maintaining electrical communication while minimizing the connector's footprint, ensuring consistent performance and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member that is attached to the latch body at a location that is inwardly recessed with respect to the distal end of the at least one arm and configured to bias the latch body about the pivot axis
Implementation Method 2
Movement of at least one arm causes the latch body to rotate about the pivot axis, thereby actuating the latch member from a latched position to an unlatched position
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a connector housing and 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 that includes an actuator and a latch body. The actuator has an actuator portion and at least one arm extending from the actuator portion. The arm includes a proximal end connected to the actuator portion, an opposed distal end, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is retained by the connector housing at a location below the distal end. The latch body is connected to the connector housing so as to rotate about a pivot axis. The latch body includes a latch member at one side of the pivot axis, and a spring disposed at a second opposite side of the pivot axis. The spring provides a spring force that biases the latch member toward a latched position. The distal end of the at least one arm is attached to the latch body at the second opposite side of the pivot axis, such that an actuation force applied to the actuator causes the latch body to pivot against the spring force so as to urge the latch member to an unlatched position.