Side-Mounted Actuator for High-Density Connector Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density connector configurations, it is difficult to extract a connector once it is plugged in due to inaccessible latching mechanisms, often requiring removal of adjacent modules or special tooling for access.
Innovation Solution
A module with a housing, a resilient latch, and an actuator with pivotally attached lateral flanges that allows rearward pulling to pivot and free the latch from its engagement, enabling easy extraction without disturbing adjacent modules or using special tooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If connectors are densely packed in high-density configurations, then space utilization is improved, but accessibility to the latching mechanism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is positioned on the side wall of the housing rather than on the top or bottom, utilizing the lateral dimension for actuation. This side-mounted position allows access to the latching mechanism from the side of the connector array, bypassing the blocking issue that occurs when connectors are stacked vertically in high-density configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of accessing the latching mechanism from the top or bottom of the connector (conventional approach), the invention inverts the access direction by providing actuation from the side wall. This reverse approach to latching mechanism access allows operators to engage and disengage connectors even when they are densely packed in vertical arrays.
2Ease of operation
If special tooling is used to access the latching mechanism, then connector extraction is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector module provides self-service extraction capability through the integrated side-mounted actuator. The actuator is part of the connector housing itself, allowing operators to disengage connectors using the connector's own built-in mechanism rather than requiring external special tooling. This eliminates the need for separate extraction tools while maintaining the ability to remove connectors from dense arrays.
3Volume of moving object
If the latching mechanism is located on the top or bottom of the connector, then structural compactness is improved, but operational accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is repositioned from the top or bottom surface to the side wall of the housing, utilizing the lateral dimension for access. This spatial reconfiguration maintains the compact vertical profile of the connector while providing accessible actuation from the side, resolving the conflict between compactness and operational accessibility.
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 convenient withdrawal of connectors from dense arrays without removing adjacent modules or using special tooling, maintaining compactness in high-density configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient latch having a secured end secured to the housing, and a free end forward of the secured end, the free end being biased toward the housing
Implementation Method 2
said actuator comprises lateral flanges about which said contact portion of said actuator is configured to pivot when said actuator is pulled rearward, said flanges received by said recesses, and said flanges comprising an arcuate portion
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~4B
Figure 5
AI summary
A module (100) having a front/rear and top/bottom orientation comprises a housing (101) having front and rear ends. A connector (102) is at the front end of the housing (100) for interengaging with a mating connector having a purchase point. A resilient latch (103) has a secured end (104) secured to the housing (100), and a free end (105) forward of the secured end (104). The free end (105) is biased toward the housing (100) and is configured to releasibly engage the purchase point. An actuator (106) is moveably attached to the housing (101). The actuator (106) is disposed under the latch (103) and has a contact portion (107) which contacts the latch (103) as the actuator (106) is pulled rearward to urge the latch (103) away from the housing (101), thereby freeing the free end (105) from the purchase point.