MSL Connector Latch Preload Design for Deformation Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems face issues with permanent set deformation during shipping and handling, leading to mating problems and the need for secondary operations to ensure proper engagement, which can result in damaged components and customer complaints.
Innovation Solution
The connector apparatus incorporates a female housing with a CPA member and a male housing with a TPA member, both preloaded to ensure secure engagement with an audible 'click' sound, featuring TPA protection ribs and CPA protection walls to prevent unintended lock positions and reduce the risk of damage during handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the connector latch is made with a low profile, then the overall connector height is reduced, but the latch becomes more susceptible to permanent set deformation during shipping and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The connector latch is preloaded during assembly to a predetermined force level that positions it near its final locked position. This preliminary action ensures that when the connector is later mated, the latch has reduced travel distance and is less susceptible to permanent set deformation during shipping and handling, while still achieving full engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the preload force parameter of the connector latch to optimize its performance. By adjusting the preload force to a specific range, the latch maintains sufficient rigidity to resist permanent set while keeping the overall connector profile low. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between compact size and deformation resistance.
2Reliability
If the TPA and CPA members are preloaded to ensure secure engagement, then the audible click sound is enhanced, but the risk of unintended lock position activation increases during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The TPA and CPA members are preloaded to a predetermined force that provides sufficient engagement assurance and audible click sound, but is carefully controlled to remain below the threshold that would cause unintended lock position activation. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effect while maintaining the desired engagement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The preload force parameter of the TPA and CPA members is optimized to a specific range that achieves the desired engagement assurance and audible feedback without exceeding the threshold that would cause unintended locking. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction between reliable engagement and prevention of unintended activation.
3Reliability
If secondary operations are performed to ensure proper engagement, then mating reliability is improved, but the complexity of assembly increases and damage risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The connector components are pre-assembled with TPA and CPA members preloaded to predetermined forces during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that when the connector is later mated, proper engagement is achieved automatically without requiring secondary operations, thereby maintaining high reliability while reducing assembly complexity and damage risk.
Data Source
AI summary
Connector apparatus having a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly. The female connector assembly includes a female housing, a connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of the male connector assembly with the female connector assembly, and a first terminal position assurance (TPA) member for assuring that terminals for the female connector assembly are positioned properly. The female housing further includes a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus. The female housing has TPA protection ribs and CPA protection walls. The male housing has TPA protection ribs.