Quick-Connect Mating Post for Micro-D Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector mating systems require frequent back-and-forth motion to tighten jackscrews, leading to binding issues and increased weight due to metal hardware, making them cumbersome and heavy.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, self-aligning mating post with a head, neck, and locking portion, featuring slots and projection receiving recesses, which allows for quick and secure connection of micro-D connectors without the need for back-and-forth screw tightening, utilizing composite materials to reduce weight and employing a quarter-lock, bayonet-type action for easy alignment and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If jackscrews are used to fasten connectors, then the connectors can be securely fastened, but the overall weight of the connector increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal (jackscrews) to composite material (mating post), maintaining mechanical strength while significantly reducing weight. The composite material post provides sufficient fastening security without the density penalty of metal hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the connector housing and integrates it into a dedicated mating post component. This separate, optimized component can be tailored specifically for weight reduction while maintaining fastening security, rather than using generic metal hardware.
2Strength
If jackscrews are used to fasten connectors, then the connectors can be securely fastened, but the operation becomes cumbersome requiring back and forth motion
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user to actively tighten screws through back-and-forth motion, the mating post design allows the connector to be inserted and then automatically locks through a quarter-turn rotation. The locking action is inverted from active tightening to passive locking after insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The mating post is pre-configured with slots and projection receiving recesses that guide the alignment and locking process. The self-aligning features perform preliminary positioning actions, eliminating the need for repeated tightening adjustments.
3Device complexity
If traditional mating posts are used, then the structure is simple, but the alignment precision is insufficient leading to binding
Solution Approach 1:
The mating post incorporates localized self-aligning features (slots and projection receiving recesses) at specific critical locations. These localized geometric features provide precise alignment guidance where needed, while the overall post structure remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The mating post design enables self-alignment through its geometric features. The slots and projection receiving recesses automatically guide the connectors into proper alignment during insertion, eliminating the need for complex external alignment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A mating post and method to retain a first electrical connector to a second electrical connector. The mating post includes a head, a neck portion and a locking portion. The neck portion is configured to be received in a mounting opening of the first connector. The locking portion extends from the neck portion in a direction away from the head. At least one slot is provided in the locking portion. The at least one slot projects from proximate a free end of the locking portion toward the neck portion. A projection receiving recess extends from the at least one slot to cooperate with a projection of the second connector to secure the first connector to the second connector.