Pin-and-Sleeve Connector Latch Assembly Reducing Release Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard pin-and-sleeve electrical connectors require significant force and displacement to release the plug from the receptacle, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a housing, latches, and a latch lever that translates pivotable movement into rotational movement of the latches, allowing for a reduced deflection and force requirement to switch between plug capture and release positions, thereby simplifying the decoupling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard pin-and-sleeve connectors use traditional latching mechanisms, then the plug is securely held in the receptacle, but significant force and displacement are required to release the plug
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism transitions from a static blocking position to a dynamic release position through rotational movement. The latch lever arms convert the release force into rotational motion of the latches, allowing the system to dynamically transition between locked and unlocked states with reduced force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch lever acts as an intermediary element between the user's release force and the latch blocks. By introducing this intermediate lever mechanism, the system amplifies the release force and reduces the displacement needed to move the latches from the blocking to non-blocking position.
2Ease of operation
If the latch assembly uses multiple latches with lever arms, then the release force and displacement are reduced, but the structural complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple latch lever arms are integrated into a single common latch lever structure. This merging approach allows the system to achieve reduced release force through multiple latches while avoiding the complexity of separate actuation mechanisms for each latch, as all latches are controlled through the single lever's rotational movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The common latch lever serves multiple functions: it actuates multiple latches simultaneously, provides a single user interface for release, and distributes the mechanical advantage across all latch points. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having independent actuation mechanisms for each latch.
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 latch assembly reduces the force and displacement needed to release the plug from the receptacle, enhancing ease of use and efficiency by minimizing the angle of rotation required for latches to unblock the indexing rib portal.
Implementation Method 1
The latch lever is pivotably positioned at least partially within the latch lever compartment. In this configuration pivotable movement of the latch lever is translated to rotational movement of the latches between the plug capture position and the plug release position.
Data Source
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AI summary
A latch assembly is provided in a receptacle in a pin-and-sleeve type electrical connector used to capture a plug of the pin-and-sleeve electrical connector. The latch assembly has a housing with a cover, a plurality of latches and a corresponding plurality of latch lever arm extending from a latch lever, such that pivotable movement of the latch lever is translated to rotational movement of the latches between a plug capture position and a plug release position.