Spring-Loaded Receptacle Connector Alignment for Secure Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacle and pluggable module connections face alignment issues due to large gaps between module elements and guiding frames, leading to potential misalignment and sticking during mating and unlocking processes.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle module with a cage, a receptacle connector, a biasing spring, and a locking member, along with a pluggable module, which includes a housing and a plug connector, are designed to ensure stable alignment and secure mating through a combination of spring-loaded alignment and locking mechanisms, utilizing separate terminal and alignment portions with varying protrusions and recessions for precise fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large gap is provided between the module element and the guiding frame to facilitate insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates leading to misalignment between the module element and the receptacle connector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guiding frame with guiding slots as an intermediary structure between the module element and the receptacle connector. The guiding slots provide physical constraints that guide the module element during insertion, ensuring accurate alignment while still allowing easy insertion. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by providing both the mechanical guidance for precision and the open structure for ease of operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rectangular protrusion structure is used for the latch element to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to sticking during unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional latch design by making the latch element a U-shaped structure that receives the actuator arm, rather than having rectangular protrusions that the actuator arm must push against. This inversion allows the actuator arm to be pulled outward for unlocking without the sticking problem, while the U-shaped latch element can still be easily manufactured. The inversion resolves the contradiction by changing the interaction geometry to eliminate sticking while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the receptacle connector is fixed at the initial position to simplify structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the alignment precision deteriorates due to large gap between module element and guiding frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the receptacle connector movable along the insertion direction through a biasing spring mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. The biasing spring provides a restoring force that pushes the receptacle connector toward the module element, ensuring accurate alignment and stable contact. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by allowing the receptacle connector to move and self-align, achieving high precision without requiring complex fixed positioning structures.
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 ensures stable and accurate alignment and secure mating of receptacle and pluggable modules, preventing misalignment and sticking, while allowing easy insertion and removal, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of terminal contact.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing spring is disposed between the receptacle connector and the back end and is configured to apply a spring load to the receptacle connector toward the front end
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a receptacle module and a pluggable module. The receptacle module includes a cage, a receptacle connector, a biasing spring, and a locking member. The pluggable module is moved from a front end to a back end, so as to be aligned and mated with the receptacle module. The biasing spring is configured to apply a spring load toward the front end of the cage. Accordingly, the mating between the receptacle module and the pluggable module may be accomplished through alignment in the following manner: the pluggable module pushes the receptacle connector toward the back end to compress the biasing spring, so that the receptacle connector is moved toward the back end to the locking member to be mated with the pluggable module.