Hinged Connector Clip for Preventing PCBA Cable Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cables connected to Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs) in telecommunication devices are prone to accidental disengagement due to the lack of a securing mechanism, leading to potential connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A connector clip with a base and cover, hinged together with a fastener, which forms an internal cable opening and secures cables to the board, preventing disengagement by locking the plug or connector to the receptacle, and optionally coated with conductive material for electromagnetic interference shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cables are connected to PCBA via detachable plugs or connectors, then ease of connection and disconnection is improved, but reliability of connection is worsened due to accidental uncoupling
Solution Approach 1:
The connector clip is divided into a base portion and a cover portion that can be separately assembled. The base portion attaches to the PCBA while the cover portion snaps over the plug or connector, creating a segmented securing mechanism that maintains ease of operation while preventing accidental disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector clip acts as an intermediary component between the detachable plug/connector and the PCBA. It provides an additional securing layer without interfering with the normal plugging and unplugging operations, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving connection reliability.
2Reliability
If a securing mechanism is added to prevent cable disengagement, then reliability of connection is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion of the connector clip is designed as a thin, flexible shell that snaps over the plug or connector. This simple shell structure provides effective securing without adding complex mechanical components, thus improving reliability while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector clip is designed as a disposable component that is easily attached and removed. When needed, the entire clip assembly can be discarded and replaced, or the simple cover portion can be recovered and reused with different plugs or connectors, keeping the overall system complexity low.
3Ease of operation
If connector clip is designed with hinged cover and fastener, then ease of operation for securing cables is improved, but manufacturing complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion incorporates a hinge that allows it to move between open and closed positions. This dynamic feature enables easy operation for securing and releasing cables, while the hinge mechanism is designed to be simple enough for cost-effective manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener mechanism is merged with the hinge structure, combining two functions into a single integrated component. This reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining ease of operation for securing cables.
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 connector clip effectively secures cables to the board, preventing accidental disengagement and ensuring reliable connectivity while also providing EMI shielding when needed.
Implementation Method 1
optionally coated with conductive material for electromagnetic interference shielding
Data Source
AI summary
A connector clip is disclosed. The connector clip includes a base, a cover, a hinge coupling the cover and the base, and a fastener. The base has a first base side joined to a second base side via a connecting base side. The cover has a first cover side joined to a second cover side via a connecting cover side. The fastener holds the first base side and the first cover side in a fixed position when the connector clip is in a closed configuration in which the connecting base side is parallel to the connecting cover side. An internal cable opening is formed in part by the connecting base side and the connecting cover side when the connector clip is in the closed configuration. The connector clip secures a cable passing through the internal cable opening and connected to a board in its place in the closed configuration.