Ribbon Cable Connector Latch for Secure Alignment and Entrapment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for ribbon cables in industrial control and monitoring systems lack efficient mechanisms for securely positioning and connecting the cables, leading to potential misalignment and unreliable connections.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with a cable organizer and a cover that includes a latch system, allowing for rotational and translational movement to create a moving axis, which facilitates secure alignment and entrapment of the ribbon cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fixed connector design is used, then the structure is simple, but the cable alignment reliability is poor and connections are unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic latch mechanism that transitions between open and closed states, allowing the cover to move from an initial position to a locked position. This dynamic structure enables the connector to adapt during assembly, ensuring reliable cable entrapment while maintaining operational simplicity through automated locking engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a housing, a removable cover, and a latch mechanism. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component, enabling the latch to provide secure locking while the cover remains easily removable for cable access, thus improving reliability without excessive overall complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a secure cable entrapment mechanism is implemented, then connection stability improves, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock when the cover is closed, without requiring external tools or complex manual operations. The spring-loaded latch self-actuates during the closing motion, providing secure cable entrapment while keeping the assembly process simple and tool-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch acts as an intermediary element between the cover and housing, mediating the transition from an open to a locked state. This intermediate mechanism translates the simple closing motion into secure cable entrapment, maintaining ease of operation while achieving stable cable positioning.
3Manufacturing precision
If a latch mechanism with rotational and translational movement is added, then cable alignment precision improves, but the number of moving parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism combines rotational and translational movements into a single integrated component that performs both functions simultaneously. This merging of movement types into one latch structure achieves precise cable alignment through compound motion while avoiding the complexity of separate mechanisms for each degree of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides cable alignment, secures the cover to the housing, and enables easy release. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, achieving precise alignment without proportionally increasing the number of moving parts.
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A connector for receiving a ribbon cable is provided. The connector includes a housing including an open top, a cable organizer, and a cover. The cable organizer is configured to be positioned within an interior of the housing and configured to receive the ribbon cable upon an upper surface thereof. The cover is configured to selectively cover the open top of the housing to enclose the cable organizer within the interior of the housing. The cover is coupled to the housing and includes a latch configured to engage the housing and the cable organizer and move in a both vertical direction relative to the housing and rotate relative to the housing.