Latching Connector Radial Grooves Canted Coil Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latching connectors with pin, housing, and coil spring designs often fail to provide consistent and reliable connect and disconnect forces due to manufacturing tolerances and orientation sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A latching connector design featuring a pin and housing with circumferential grooves and a canted coil spring, where the major axis of the spring is equal to or slightly less than the radius of the grooves, ensuring multiple contact points for consistent force and alignment, and an interference fit for reliable connect and disconnect forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional latching connector designs are used, then the connector can be manufactured with standard tolerances, but the connect and disconnect forces are inconsistent and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved surfaces with specific radii of curvature on the pin insertion end and in the grooves. The curved surface on the pin insertion end has a radius less than or equal to the groove radius, creating a geometry that is less sensitive to manufacturing tolerances while maintaining consistent connect and disconnect forces. This curvature-based design replaces traditional flat or sharp-featured geometries that are highly sensitive to tolerances.
2Reliability
If the spring is tightly fitted in the groove, then alignment with the connector axis is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the outer diameter of the canted coil spring is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the housing groove, creating an interference fit. The major axis of the spring is dimensioned to be equal to or slightly less than the radius of the groove. These parameter relationships ensure proper alignment and multiple contact points while remaining manufacturable with standard tolerances.
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 design achieves consistent and reliable connect and disconnect forces, reduces variance due to manufacturing tolerances, and enhances electrical conductivity by ensuring the spring's alignment with the connector's axis, leading to improved reliability and consistency in connector performance.
Implementation Method 1
The pin and the housing each have a circumferential groove that is sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of a coil spring. Together, the pin groove, housing groove, and coil spring provide a latching force that couples and holds the pin with the housing.
Implementation Method 2
The pin insertion end also has a curved surface with a constant radius of curvature. The radius of curvature is preferably less than or equal to the radius of curvature of the curved surfaces of the pin groove and/or housing groove to achieve a connect force that is about equal to the disconnect force.
Data Source
AI summary
A latching connector having a pin, a housing, and a canted coil spring is disclosed. The housing has an opening that slidably receives the pin. The housing and the pin each have a groove that is sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of the canted coil spring. The pin groove and housing groove have a curved surface with a radius that is equal to or larger than the major axis of the canted coil spring. The canted coil spring has an outer diameter that is equal to or larger than the diameter of the housing groove. Together, the pin, housing, and canted coil spring provide a latching connector with a reliable and consistent connect force and disconnect force. The latching connector provides improved electrical conductivity from the pin to the housing by providing multiple contact points with the canted coil spring.