Telecommunications Jack With Offset Stop Latches
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Solution Overview
Problem
The density of telecommunications jacks in a panel is limited due to the symmetric arrangement of stop latches, which requires a minimum distance between jacks to be twice the width of one stop latch, restricting the number of jacks that can be installed in a horizontal array.
Innovation Solution
The telecommunications jack design features vertically offset stop latches on opposing sides of the housing, allowing for closer spacing between adjacent jacks without the latches occupying the same vertical position, thereby increasing the linear density of jack installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If stop latches are arranged symmetrically on opposing sides of the housing, then the jack structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the minimum distance between adjacent jacks must be twice the width of one stop latch, limiting the density of jack installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the stop latches at different vertical locations on opposing sides of the housing. Specifically, the first stop latch is positioned at a first vertical location on the first side, while the second stop latch is positioned at a second vertical location on the second side, where the vertical locations are different. This asymmetric arrangement allows adjacent jacks to be spaced closer together than would be possible with symmetric latch positioning, thereby increasing the density of jack installations in the panel.
2Reliability
If the minimum distance between jacks is twice the width of one stop latch, then each jack is independently retained, but the linear density of jack installations is substantially limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a horizontal spacing constraint to a vertical dimension solution. Instead of increasing horizontal distance between latches, the invention positions latches at different vertical heights on opposing sides. This dimensional shift allows the horizontal distance between adjacent jacks to be reduced below twice the latch width, while retention reliability is maintained through the vertical offset arrangement that prevents latch interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications jack and associated panel and method of construction are disclosed. The telecommunications jack is configured for use in a twisted pair system and includes a housing defining a port for receiving a plug, and a latching mechanism positioned to retain the housing in an opening of a face of a telecommunications panel. The telecommunications jack also includes a first stop latch positioned along the left side of the housing and a second stop latch positioned along the right side of the housing, the first and second stop latches vertically offset from each other and extending from the sides of the housing by a width, wherein the telecommunications jack is installable in an array of telecommunications jacks at a distance from a neighboring telecommunications jack of less than twice the width.