Resilient Contact Latching Arms for Electrical Connector Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors with U-shaped contacting arms face difficulties in easy disengagement when the pulling force is not aligned with the insertion direction, making it hard to remove the plug connector from the socket.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring an insulative housing with resilient contacts that include a blocking piece, retaining legs, and latching arms, which provide a locking and grounding function while allowing easy release of the mating connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contacting post is deeply inserted into the receiving room for secure connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because disengagement requires precise alignment of pulling force
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient contact is divided into multiple functional segments: a blocking piece for initial engagement, retaining legs for lateral retention, and latching arms for secure locking. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, enabling reliable connection while facilitating easy disengagement through lateral force application on the retaining legs.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient contact incorporates elastic deformation capability, allowing the latching arms to dynamically adjust during engagement and disengagement. The resilient nature enables the contact to automatically return to its original position after connection, and allows easy release when lateral force is applied, resolving the contradiction between secure connection and easy disengagement.
2Reliability
If the contacting post is deeply inserted into the receiving room, then the locking function is improved, but the device complexity increases due to alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient contact structure performs self-alignment through its elastic properties. When the plug connector is inserted, the resilient contact automatically adjusts its position to engage the contacting post, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment. The blocking piece guides the initial engagement, and the latching arms automatically lock onto the contacting post without requiring complex alignment procedures.
3Reliability
If the contacting arms are designed to grip the contacting post steadily, then the retaining effect is improved, but the ease of operation worsens because the plug cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining legs are designed with asymmetric geometry that provides strong retention in the insertion direction but allows easy release in the lateral direction. The retaining legs extend laterally from the resilient contact body, creating a configuration that grips the contacting post firmly during normal operation but can be easily disengaged by applying lateral force, thus resolving the contradiction between strong retention and easy removal.
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
Enables easy operation and secure retention of the connector, allowing for straightforward disengagement without requiring precise alignment of the pulling force, enhancing the usability and reliability of the connector.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient contact retained in the housing. The resilient contact defines a blocking piece abutting against the blocking face, a retaining leg extending out of the mating cavity, and latching arms extending into the mating cavity from the blocking piece
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of first contacts arranged in a side-by-side manner, and a resilient contact retained in the housing. The housing defines a mating face, a blocking face and a mating cavity disposed between the mating face and the blocking face. Each first contact defines a first contacting portion projecting into the mating cavity. The resilient contact defines a blocking piece abutting against the blocking face, a retaining leg extending out of the mating cavity, and latching arms extending into the mating cavity from the blocking piece. The latching arms can be easily released from a mating connector so as to realize a better retaining effect.