Electrical Connector Latch Mechanism for Secure Substrate Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in securely maintaining mating engagement with substrates, as resilient mating ends may not be sufficient to prevent detachment, leading to unreliable electrical communication.
Innovation Solution
An electrical cable connector with a connector housing that includes a receptacle for the substrate's edge and a latch member with a lock mechanism, allowing for secure attachment and detachment by pivoting latch arms that engage with apertures on the substrate, ensuring stable electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resilient mating ends are used to secure the substrate, then the electrical connector can maintain mating engagement, but the connection may not be sufficiently secure and may accidentally detach
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into functional segments: resilient mating ends for electrical contact and a separate latch member with lock mechanism for mechanical securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member is designed with movable latch arms that can pivot between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic mechanism provides secure locking during normal operation while allowing intentional detachment when needed, resolving the contradiction between security and operability.
2Reliability
If a latch member with lock mechanism is added to secure the substrate, then detachment is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical locking through the lock mechanism, maintains electrical isolation, and enables controlled detachment. This merging reduces the need for separate components while achieving reliable securement.
3Strength
If the latch arms are made resilient to engage with the substrate, then secure locking is achieved, but the latch may not provide sufficient locking force
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient latch arms are pre-loaded to exert continuous locking force on the substrate. This preliminary action ensures that the latch maintains secure engagement without requiring additional active mechanisms, achieving strong locking while keeping the mechanism simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector may retain a substrate in secure, mating engagement with the electrical connector. The electrical connector can include at least one attachment member that is configured to be received in an aperture that extends through the substrate.