Jack Housing Cable Retention Hooks for Audio Connector Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cable-based plug and jack systems in communication devices often disconnect due to axial forces, leading to loss of audio communication, particularly when cables get caught on objects in the user's environment.

Innovation Solution

A cable retention apparatus featuring a jack housing with integrated cable retention hooks that prevent inadvertent disengagement by providing a predetermined retention force, allowing a half turn of the cable to secure it within the hooks, thus preventing pullout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cable-based plug and jack system is used for audio transmit and receive, then audio communication functionality is provided, but the cable may inadvertently become disconnected from the jack when axial force is applied to the cable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidjack structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The jack housing is segmented to include multiple cable retention hooks (at least two hooks) that are spaced apart from each other. This segmentation allows the cable to be wrapped around multiple discrete retention points, distributing the retention force and preventing inadvertent disconnection while maintaining a manageable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable retention hooks are pre-formed as integral parts of the jack housing structure. The hooks are positioned and shaped in advance to guide and retain the cable in a specific wrapped configuration, eliminating the need for complex assembly steps or additional retention components during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If cable retention hooks are added to the jack housing to prevent disconnection, then pull-out resistance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepull-out resistanceVSAvoidjack housing manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable retention hooks are merged with the jack housing to form a single integrated component. The hooks are formed as integral extensions of the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate retention parts and reducing assembly steps. This merging maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing enhanced pull-out resistance through multiple distributed retention points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The jack housing serves multiple functions: it provides the structural enclosure for the jack mechanism, forms the cable retention hooks for securing the cable, and maintains the audio signal transmission pathway. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for separate retention mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8956182B2Cable retention apparatus having a jack housing with a plurality of cable retention hooks

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A jack housing (110) for a plug and jack connector system (120, 110) comprises a plurality of integrated cable retention hooks (114) about which to wrap a cable (124) of a cabled accessory (120). The integrated retention hooks (114) retain the cable (124) so as to avoid inadvertent disconnect of the plug (122) from the jack (116). The integrated retention hooks (114) can accommodate a variety of different diameter cables or multiple cables.