Integrated Connector Retention Clip for Secure Plug Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retention devices for communication connectors are prone to loss or mishandling during shipping and installation, potentially causing damage to the system or interacting with it in unintended ways due to their susceptibility to being lost or misplaced within dense assemblies of cables and circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a retention mechanism featuring a connector hinge and a retention clip, which includes a panel, a hinge arm, and a plug arm, allowing the clip to rotate between open and locked positions, providing a secure retention force to maintain the mated relationship between the communication connector and a plug, such as a dust plug or optical/electrical plug, thereby preventing debris accumulation and ensuring secure handling during storage, shipping, and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple removable retention device is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to loss or mishandling during shipping and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device is merged with the connector housing to form an integrated assembly. The retention clip is attached to the housing and cannot be easily separated, eliminating the risk of the retention device being lost while maintaining ease of operation through the integrated design.
2Reliability
If a retention device is added to secure the plug, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The retention clip is merged with the connector housing as a single integrated component. The housing includes the retention clip attached to it, reducing the total number of separate components while providing reliable plug retention through the integrated structure.
3Reliability
If the retention mechanism is made more secure, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The retention clip is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to flex and move. The clip can be easily manipulated to release the plug during assembly and disassembly, while maintaining a secure locked position during normal operation. The dynamic design enables transition between retained and released states through simple user action.
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 retention mechanism effectively maintains the mated relationship between the communication connector and the plug, preventing debris accumulation and ensuring secure handling, reducing the risk of damage or misplacement during storage, shipping, and installation, while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
The plug arm is shaped to press the plug toward the mating face when the retention clip is in the locked position
Implementation Method 2
The hinge arm grips the connector hinge such that the retention clip is rotatable about the connector hinge between open and locked positions
Data Source
AI summary
Connector assembly includes a communication connector configured to be at least one of electrically or optically coupled to a plug. The communication connector has a connector housing that includes a back side and a mating face that are on opposite ends of the connector housing. The connector assembly also includes a retention mechanism having a connector hinge and a retention clip. The connector hinge is a portion of the connector housing or is coupled to the connector housing. The retention clip has a panel, a hinge arm, and a plug arm. The panel extends between and couples to the hinge and plug arms. The hinge arm grips the connector hinge such that the retention clip is rotatable about the connector hinge between open and locked positions. The plug arm is shaped to press the plug toward the mating face when the retention clip is in the locked position.