Electrical Connector Latching Peg Radial Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for printed circuit boards are difficult to release from the board without destruction and require significant effort for latching and unlatching, limiting their usability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a latching peg system with movable functional elements that expand radially to secure the connector, allowing for easy latching and release by hand, utilizing an actuation device with guides for shifting the latching pegs between latching and release positions, and featuring compression spring contacts for reliable contact with the printed circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expanding pegs are used to fasten the connector to the printed circuit board, then the connector can be securely fastened, but it becomes difficult to release without destruction and requires significant effort for latching and unlatching
Solution Approach 1:
The latching peg incorporates a movable functional element that can dynamically change its diameter. During installation, the functional element is in a compressed state allowing the peg to pass through the opening. Upon actuation, the functional element expands to engage with the printed circuit board, providing secure fastening. For release, the functional element can be compressed again to disengage, enabling easy removal without destruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism utilizes parameter changes in the functional element's diameter. The functional element transitions between a first diameter (expanded state) for latching and a second diameter (compressed state) for release. This parameter change allows the same component to provide both secure fastening and easy release functionality.
2Reliability
If expanding pegs are used to fasten the connector, then secure connection is achieved, but significant effort is required for latching and unlatching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation device serves as an intermediary mechanism that reduces the force required for latching and unlatching operations. The actuation device includes an actuating element that, when moved, triggers the expansion or compression of the functional element through a mechanical advantage system, allowing the user to operate the latching mechanism with minimal effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching peg is designed to automatically transition between latched and released states through the movement of the actuating element. The functional element self-expands or self-compresses in response to the actuation, eliminating the need for manual force application directly to the peg itself and reducing the overall effort required for operation.
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
Enables simple and effortless latching and unlatching of the connector, allowing for multiple uses without damage, ensuring secure and reliable electrical connections to the printed circuit board.
Implementation Method 1
The latching peg (5) can be moved from a non-expanded release position into an expanded latching position in which its diameter on the side of the opening which faces away from the housing (15) is greater than the diameter of the opening (32) of the printed circuit board
Implementation Method 2
featuring compression spring contacts for reliable contact with the printed circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a housing which can be electrically connected on a connection side to an electrical connection part. On a contact side, one or more contacts are provided to electrically contact one or more counter-contacts of a printed circuit board. At least one latching peg assembly including two functional elements passes through an opening of the printed circuit board and can be moved by an actuation element from a non-expanded released position into an expanded latched position in which its diameter on the side of the opening which faces away from the housing is greater than the diameter of the opening of the printed circuit board. One of the functional elements is arranged on the actuation device and another element is arranged on a component of the connector which is movable relative to the actuation device.