Plug Connector Latch Retention Assist Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector latching mechanisms face issues with low retention strength, failure under excessive force, and high return spring force, making them unreliable and difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector design featuring a latch with a retention assist member and biasing mechanism that engages a latch hook to secure the connector, allowing for easy actuation between latched and unlatched positions with reduced de-latching force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a return spring is used to provide return force to the latch, then the latch can return to the latched position and resist unintentional de-latching, but the return force becomes high making it difficult for users to overcome the spring force to release the latch
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system is divided into two separate components: a latch member with a latch beam and hook, and a retention assist member with a ram. The retention assist member independently provides additional retention force through the biasing member, allowing the return spring force on the latch to be reduced while maintaining overall retention strength. This segmentation enables the latch to be easily released without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention assist member acts as an intermediary component between the latch and the housing. It provides additional retention force through its ram engaging the latch beam, allowing the system to achieve high retention without requiring excessive return spring force on the latch itself. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by distributing the retention function across multiple components.
2Ease of operation
If pulling rearward on the latch is done to actuate it, then the latch can be moved to the released position, but the hook is pulled rearward against the latching component causing the latch to bind and increasing the de-latching force needed
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is extracted from the latch member itself and placed into a separate retention assist member. The latch member is simplified to focus only on the latching function (hook engaging the latch opening), while the retention assist member provides the retention force through its ram. This extraction eliminates the binding problem because the simplified latch hook no longer has retention features that would cause interference during actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the latch member provide both latching and retention functions (which causes binding), the design inverts the arrangement by having a separate retention assist member provide the retention force. The latch member only handles the latching function, and the retention assist member's ram pushes against the latch beam from the rear to provide retention without interfering with the forward motion of the latch hook during actuation.
3Productivity
If known latch designs are used, then the connector can be mated and unmated, but the connector to plug retention strength is low and the latch is subject to failure or breaking due to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the latching function (latch member with hook) and the retention function (retention assist member with ram) into a unified latching system. The combined action of the latch hook engaging the latch opening and the retention assist ram pushing against the latch beam creates a synergistic effect that provides both secure mating and high retention strength, preventing latch failure under excessive force while maintaining mating capability.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and reliable latching system that maintains secure connections while minimizing the force required for de-latching, preventing latch binding and failure.
Implementation Method 1
The retention assist member includes a biasing member engaging the retention assist member to drive the retention assist member in a forward biasing direction
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector includes a housing holding plug contacts at a mating end for mating with a mating connector. The plug connector includes a latch received in a latch pocket and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch has a main body and a latch beam extending from the main body. The latch beam includes a latch hook configured to be received in a latch opening of the mating connector in the latched position to secure the plug connector to the mating connector. The plug connector includes a retention assist member engaging the latch having a main body and a ram extending therefrom with a latch retention support positioned rearward of the latch beam. A biasing member drives the retention assist member in a biasing direction into the latch to hold the latch hook in the latching position.