Modular Jack With Movable Locking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional jack assemblies/housings are difficult and time-consuming to secure or unsecure from jack panels or faceplates, especially in tight or limited workspaces and when adjacent to multiple assemblies, media, and connectors.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a modular jack assembly with a movable locking member that includes flanges and projections, allowing the housing to be easily moved into a receiving cavity and locked securely using rail extensions and locking tabs, facilitating quick attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional jack assemblies are manually forced or torqued into jack panels, then secure attachment is achieved, but the operation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to move between a retracted position (allowing easy insertion) and an engaged position (providing secure attachment). This dynamic mechanism automatically transitions from insertion mode to locking mode, eliminating the need for manual forcing or torquing operations while ensuring reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member automatically engages with the locking surface upon insertion, and can be released by applying force to the indicator. This self-servicing mechanism eliminates the need for external tools or complex manual operations, allowing technicians to quickly attach and detach jack assemblies without time-consuming forcing or torquing actions.
2Reliability
If conventional jack assemblies are manually forced or torqued into jack panels, then secure attachment is achieved, but the operation becomes difficult especially in tight workspaces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member transitions automatically from a retracted insertion state to an engaged locking state, providing secure attachment without requiring difficult manual forcing or torquing operations. This dynamic action can be initiated with simple push or pull movements that are easily performed even in tight workspaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism self-activates upon insertion, with the locking member automatically engaging the locking surface. For release, the technician simply needs to apply force to the indicator, making the operation intuitive and easy to perform regardless of workspace constraints.
3Ease of operation
If a movable locking member is added to the jack assembly, then attachment and detachment become easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is integrated with the housing structure, with the indicator being part of the locking member assembly. The locking surface is formed as part of the receiver member structure. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the enhanced functionality of easy attachment and detachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member serves multiple functions: it provides secure locking engagement, offers visual indication of locked status through the indicator, and enables easy release when force is applied to the indicator. This multi-functionality consolidates several features into a single component, reducing overall device complexity while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides for electrical connectors or jack assemblies/housings for use in voice/data communication systems. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for modular jack assemblies that include a movable locking member. The present disclosure provides for improved systems/designs for jack assemblies/housings that are easily secured and/or unsecured to or from a jack panel or jack faceplate. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for convenient, low-cost and effective systems and methods for easily securing and/or unsecuring jack assemblies/housings to or from a jack panel/faceplate (e.g., in the field) by utilizing advantageous modular jack assemblies that include a movable locking member, and related assemblies.