Electrical Connector Pull Tether Latch Release Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In densely packed electrical connectors, technicians face difficulties accessing and releasing the latching mechanism due to tight spacing and obstruction by cables/ connectors, leading to potential damage and the need for cumbersome tools.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a housing with a latch and a pull tether that engages a window to depress the latch, allowing efficient unlatching without requiring manual access to the latching mechanism, protected by a boot with a hood portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If connectors are positioned in multiple rows in tightly spaced areas to increase density, then the quantity of connectors per unit area is improved, but the accessibility to the latching mechanism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A tether is introduced as an intermediary tool that extends from the latch mechanism to an accessible location. The tether allows technicians to operate the latch from a distance, solving the accessibility problem while maintaining high connector density. The tether acts as a mechanical extension that transfers the user's pulling force to the latch without requiring direct access to the latching mechanism.
2Reliability
If the latching mechanism is positioned at the mating interface to secure the connector, then the connection reliability is improved, but the risk of damage to the latch mechanism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two functional parts: the latch mechanism remains positioned at the mating interface to maintain connection security, while the tether separates the user's interaction point from the latch mechanism. This segmentation allows the latch to remain in its optimal secure position while protecting it from direct user contact and potential damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether serves as a protective intermediary between the user's hands and the latch mechanism. By requiring users to pull the tether rather than directly manipulating the latch, the system reduces the risk of accidental damage to the latch mechanism while maintaining its secure positioning at the mating interface.
3Ease of operation
If special tools are used to reach into tight spaces to release the latching mechanism, then the accessibility to the latch is improved, but the device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system provides its own service mechanism through the integrated tether. Rather than requiring external special tools, the connector includes a self-contained solution where the tether is part of the connector assembly itself. This eliminates the need for separate specialized tools and reduces overall system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An electrical connector (10) comprises a housing (36) having a plurality of contacts (24) defining a mating interface for a mating connector. A latch (26) extends from the housing (36) and includes a window (66). The latch (26) is configured to securely couple the housing (36) to the mating connector, and the latch (26) is depressible to an unlatched position to release the housing (36) from the mating connector. A tether (32) is mated with the latch (26) and is movable between a released position and an actuated position. The tether (32) has an embossment (120) that extends into the window (66) when the tether (32) is in the released position. The embossment (120) engages an edge (70) of the window (66) and depresses the latch (26) to the unlatched position when the tether (32) is moved to the actuated position.