Modular Floating Cable Connector with Damper for Blind Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In server infrastructure, the variability in manufacturing tolerances and assembly variances often leads to misalignment issues with cable connectors, resulting in wasted space and materials due to the need for excess cable length and the limitations of guiding pins in modular systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular floating cable connector system with dampers allows for movement in one or three dimensions between a support structure and a cable connector, accommodating misalignment and offset variations, and a customized bracket for improved cable routing and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excess cable length is provided to accommodate misalignment, then cable connector reliability is improved, but space utilization deteriorates and material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connector assembly is made dynamically adjustable through the damper mechanism, allowing it to move and adapt its position to accommodate misalignment. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for excess cable length while maintaining reliable connection, thus reducing material waste without compromising connector reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the cable connector assembly by allowing movement in one or more dimensions through the damper. This parameter change enables the connector to self-align with the mating plug, eliminating the need for excessive cable length and reducing material waste while ensuring reliable connection.
2Ease of operation
If guiding pins are used to facilitate cable connector alignment, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connector assembly performs self-alignment through the damper mechanism without requiring external guiding pins. The system is self-sufficient in accommodating misalignment, which simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating guiding pins while maintaining ease of operation during blind mating.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding pin component is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of using guiding pins for alignment, the invention relies on the damper-enabled movement capability of the cable connector assembly to achieve alignment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operational ease.
3Manufacturing precision
If excess cable length is provided to accommodate assembly variances, then manufacturing precision requirements are relaxed, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connector assembly incorporates dynamic movement capability through the damper, allowing it to adjust its position to accommodate assembly variances. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for excess cable length, thereby improving space utilization while maintaining tolerance for manufacturing precision variations.
4Ease of manufacture
If modular components are used to facilitate assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but cable routing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular cable connector assembly includes a damper mechanism that provides dynamic movement capability, allowing the connector to self-align during assembly. This dynamic feature compensates for cable routing precision variations while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design, effectively resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and routing precision.
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
This solution optimizes cable routing and alignment, reducing material waste and improving manufacturing and service efficiency by enabling blind mating without guiding pins, accommodating manufacturing tolerances and assembly variances.
Implementation Method 1
One or more dampers are disposed between the first structure and the second structure, the damper configured to allow the second structure to move in one dimension relative to the first structure when the plug is moved in a direction to be coupled to a mating plug that is not aligned with the plug
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed that comprises a first structure configured to be connected to a chassis, a second structure configured to be attached to the first structure, the second structure including at least one first connector and a damper disposed between the first structure and the second structure, the damper configured to allow the second structure to move in one dimension relative to the first structure when the first connector is moved in a direction to be coupled to a second connector that is not aligned with the first connector.