Hinged Retention Clip for PCB Cable Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable-to-board connectors often experience spontaneous disengagement due to movement of printed circuit boards, leading to inefficiencies and loss of data transmission in communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A retention clip with a hinge element and snap tabs is used to secure cable connections to a printed circuit board, allowing movement between locked and unlocked positions, with snap tabs engaging with corresponding cut-outs on the PCB to prevent disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable-to-board connectors are used without retention mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates due to spontaneous disengagement during PCB movement
Solution Approach 1:
The retention clip is nested within the cable assembly, with the top support member, bottom support member, and hinge element forming a compact integrated structure that sandwiches the cable connection when closed, providing retention without adding external complexity to the PCB or connector
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge element enables the retention clip to dynamically transition between open and closed states, allowing easy installation and removal while maintaining secure retention during operation, thus improving reliability without requiring permanent complex fixation structures
2Stability of the object's composition
If a retention clip with snap tabs is used to secure the cable connection, then the connection stability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the additional steps required to engage and disengage the retention mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The snap tabs are pre-positioned on the bottom support member and the hinge element is pre-configured to rotate the top support member into the closed position, so that once the cable is inserted, the retention mechanism automatically engages through preliminary positioning actions, maintaining stability while minimizing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retention clip is segmented into distinct functional components (top support member, bottom support member, hinge element, snap tabs) that can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall ease of operation through modular engagement
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide a retention clip for securing a cable connection to a printed circuit board (PCB). An example retention clip includes a bottom support member, a top support member, and a hinge element attached to the top support member and the bottom support member. The hinge element allows movement of the retention clip between a locked position and an unlocked position. The retention clip further defines an opening configured to receive one or more cable connections therethrough. In the locked position, the top support member is folded about the hinge element so as to engage the bottom support member and secure the cable connection disposed within the opening to the PCB.