Connector Release Mechanism With Self-Resetting Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pluggable module assemblies face issues with self-resetting release mechanisms and manufacturing tolerances, leading to increased defective parts and costs due to rigidly fixed actuator arms and misalignment challenges.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a spring member and actuating member within the connector module, allowing for a self-resetting mechanism by using a torsion spring to maintain the actuating member in a locked position and facilitate easy disengagement, while the retaining element allows for slight misalignments between actuating members, enhancing manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the actuator arms are rigidly fixed with a bar or beam, then the structure is simple, but the manufacturing tolerances are small leading to increased defective parts
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator arms are made movable relative to each other through retention slots that allow sliding motion. This dynamic configuration enables the arms to self-align and accommodate manufacturing variations, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and manufacturing precision requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the bail is forced back into the upright position by a user, then the actuator arms return to locked position, but the mechanism is not self-resetting requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member automatically returns the actuator arms to the locked position after disengagement without requiring manual intervention. The spring stores energy during the ejector stroke and releases it to reset the mechanism, providing a self-service function that eliminates the need for user action to reset the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member is pre-loaded during the ejector stroke to store potential energy. This preliminary action prepares the system for automatic reset, allowing the actuator arms to return to the locked position automatically after the ejector is released, without requiring external intervention.
3Manufacturing precision
If the actuator arms are movable along retention slots, then manufacturing tolerances are tolerated better, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator arms are separated into independent movable components that can slide along retention slots rather than being rigidly connected. This segmentation allows each arm to independently accommodate manufacturing variations while maintaining functional integrity, resolving the contradiction between tolerance accommodation and structural complexity.
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 solution provides a reliable self-resetting release mechanism that tolerates slight misalignments, reducing manufacturing defects and costs by enabling easy engagement and disengagement of the connector module with improved manufacturing flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member that is positioned on the actuating member and configured to exert a force against the housing and the actuating member
Implementation Method 2
The spring member is biased in order to maintain the actuating member in the locked position
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector module configured to form a communicative connection with a host device is provided. The module includes a housing that is configured to be inserted into a receptacle of the host device. The housing extends substantially in an axial direction and includes a surface. The module also includes an actuating member that is slidably coupled to and movable along the surface of the housing from a locked position to a disengaged position. The module includes a spring member that is positioned on the actuating member and configured to exert a force against the housing and the actuating member. The spring member is biased in order to maintain the actuating member in the locked position.