Hinged Latch Stop Mechanism for Connector Position Assurance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems lack reliable mechanisms to secure a latch, especially when a latch stop is attached to a connector housing that may pivot into the connector to secure a latch, as hinged options have not been practically available for effective latch securing.
Innovation Solution
A connector system with a latch stop mechanism that includes a latch stop attached to the connector housing, featuring a series of hinges and sections that allow the latch stop arm to pivot and limit the movement of the latch, ensuring secure engagement between connectors by preventing downward deflection and utilizing a wedge to facilitate contact between the latch stop surface and contact surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch stop mechanism with hinged sections is used to secure the latch, then the connector position assurance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch stop mechanism is divided into multiple hinged sections (first section, second section, third section) that can pivot independently. This segmentation allows each section to perform a specific function in the latch securing process while maintaining overall mechanism reliability without requiring a completely rigid complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch stop mechanism transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with hinged sections that can pivot and move. The first section pivots about a first hinge, the second section pivots about a second hinge, and the latch stop itself pivots about a third hinge, allowing the mechanism to adapt its configuration based on operational needs while securing the latch.
2Ease of operation
If the latch stop arm pivots into the connector to secure the latch, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch stop mechanism is pre-configured with hinged sections positioned in specific orientations before operation. The first section is initially positioned to allow easy pivoting, and the hinges are pre-aligned during manufacturing to guide the pivoting motion, reducing the precision requirements during actual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinges act as intermediary elements between the hinged sections and the connector housing. These hinges provide a controlled pivot point that mediates the movement between sections, allowing for tolerances in manufacturing while maintaining reliable operation through the hinge's inherent mechanical guidance.
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 latch stop mechanism effectively secures the latch lock in place, ensuring reliable connector position assurance and preventing disengagement unless the latch stop surface is removed from the cavity, thereby maintaining a stable connection between the male and female connectors.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a wedge to facilitate contact between the latch stop surface and contact surface
Implementation Method 2
featuring a series of hinges and sections that allow the latch stop arm to pivot into the connector
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
A system and method are described for improved connector position assurance. A latch stop mechanism (10) on a first connector may be used to selectively limit movement of a latch (50) and attached latch lock (54) after the latch lock (54) has been engaged to secure the first connector to a second connector. The latch stop (10) mechanism may be attached to the connector housing (80) and have a series of hinges (12), (16) that allow a latch stop (10) to pivot into place, limiting movement of the latch (50) and latch lock (54).