Unitary Sheet-Metal Latch for Electrical Connector Snag Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors with latches are bulky, occupying valuable space, affecting the form factor and aesthetics, and may snag during mating due to their size and design.
Innovation Solution
A latch system with a body and actuator integrally fabricated from a single sheet of material, featuring a movable latch pin and embedded return spring within the housing, reducing size and preventing snagging by embedding components within the sidewalls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional latch with separate components is used, then the latch can provide reliable latching function, but the latch occupies more space and increases the overall size of the electrical connector
Solution Approach 1:
The latch body, actuator, and return spring are integrally fabricated from a single sheet of material as a continuous structure, merging multiple components into one unitary body. This reduces the overall volume occupied by the latch while maintaining the reliable latching function through the integrated design of the latch pin, actuator arm, and return spring mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional latch with protruding components is used, then the latch can provide adequate actuation leverage, but the latch may snag on other objects during mating
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator arm is received within a recess in the housing, nesting the actuating component inside the housing structure rather than having it protrude outward. This allows adequate actuator leverage to be maintained through the arm's length and mechanical advantage, while the recess prevents the actuator from snagging on external objects during mating operations.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact latch design is used, then the form factor and aesthetics are improved, but the latch may lack sufficient return force to maintain latched position
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring is configured to engage with the actuator arm at a point that provides mechanical advantage, utilizing the geometry and leverage ratios created by the spring's attachment position and the arm's pivot point. This dimensional arrangement of components allows a compact spring to generate sufficient return force to reliably maintain the latched position despite the reduced overall latch size.
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 compact, reliable, and aesthetically improved latch mechanism that effectively biases the latch pin to the latched position while minimizing the risk of snagging, enhancing the form factor and functionality of electrical connectors.
Implementation Method 1
The return spring is configured to bias the latch pin to the latched position
Data Source
AI summary
A latch is provided for latching a connector to a device. The latch includes a body having an actuator and a latch pin. The latch pin is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch pin is configured to latch the connector to the device when the latch pin is in the latched position. The actuator extends from the latch. The actuator is configured such that movement of the actuator moves latch pin between latched position and the unlatched position. The actuator and the latch pin are integrally fabricated from a same sheet of material as a continuous structure such that the body is a single, unitary body.