Patent Application
20230318240
The disclosed subject matter relates generally to copper or fiber cable connectors.
Connectors for copper data cables, such as registered jack (RJ) type connectors, are typically outfitted with a cantilevered latch for engaging the connector with a data jack. In some connection scenarios, the relatively small point of engagement between the cantilevered latch and the corresponding engagement point of the jack can prove insufficient for retaining the connector in the jack. Moreover, because of its angled protruding structure, the cantilevered latch acts as a potential snag point while the cable is being pulled through a congested space, such as a conduit or channel containing other cables or wires.
The above-described deficiencies of connector systems are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of current technology, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with the state of the art, and corresponding benefits of some of the various non-limiting embodiments described herein, may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description.
The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosed subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the various embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of the various embodiments. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the various embodiments nor to delineate the scope of the various embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a streamlined form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
Various embodiments described herein relate to a cable connector that uses a torsion latch, rather than a cantilevered latch, to engage with a jack. The torsion latch is a uniform component with a flat flexible spring that applies a torsion or rotational force to a latching protrusion when an opposing force is applied either by a mechanical feature within the jack (as the connector is being plugged into the jack) or by a user applying a downward force to a release lever. The spring-loaded torsion force holds the latching protrusion in a position of engagement with a mechanical feature within the jack. To release the connector, the user applies a downward force to a release lever on the torsion latch, which is translated to a torsion force that opposes that applied by the spring, displacing the latching protrusion and allowing the connector to be removed from the jack. The torsion latch design offers a more positive engagement between the connector and the jack while maintaining a disconnect action that is familiar to the user. The profile of the torsion latch connector is also less susceptible to snagging as the connector and its corresponding cable are being pulled through high-density installation spaces.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the disclosed subject matter, then, comprises one or more of the features hereinafter more fully described. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the subject matter. However, these aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the subject matter can be employed. Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. It will also be appreciated that the detailed description may include additional or alternative embodiments beyond those described in this summary.
The subject disclosure is now described with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject disclosure. It may be evident, however, that the subject disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subject disclosure.
A spring-loaded cantilevered latch 112 is formed on an outside surface of the connector 104. This latch 112 is configured to slide into a groove 110 formed on the top edge of the jack receptacle 108 when the connector 104 is inserted into the jack 102. When the connector 104 is fully inserted into the jack 102, the cantilevered latch 112 engages with a corresponding engagement feature inside the jack 102, thereby latching the connector 104 inside the jack 102. The connector 104 can be removed from the jack 102 by applying downward pressure to the latch 112, thereby disengaging the latch 112 from the jack 102 and allowing the connector 104 to be removed.
An array of conductive signal contacts 106 or tines installed inside the jack 102 are configured to maintain electrical contact with corresponding signal contacts 114 on the connector 104. Connector 104 can be terminated to the end of a cable 116 (e.g., a twisted pair category cable), and individual conductors of the cable 116 can be separated out and electrically connected to the signal contacts 114 inside connector 104. In this way, when the connector 104 is inserted into jack 102, the contacts 106 inside the jack 102 are electrically connected to corresponding conductors of cable 116.
There are potential drawbacks with the cantilevered latch 112 often used on connectors such as those depicted in
To address these and other issues, one or more embodiments described herein provide a connector having a torsion latch that offers a more positive retention within the jack and is less susceptible to accidental disengagement due to excessive tensile or side load on the cable 116. The latching mechanism also requires less displacement force to disengage the connector from the jack while maintaining a disengagement action that is familiar to users (namely, a downward force applied to the latch's release lever). In contrast to the cantilevered latch 112 depicted in
The torsion latch connector 214 comprises a main connector body 206 on which a torsion latch 204 is mounted.
The connector housing 302 comprises top, bottom, left side, and right side walls extending between the front face 310 and rear face 312. A groove 308 is formed on the exterior surface of one of the side walls 314, extending from the front face 310 to a point part way between the front face 310 and the rear face 312. The front of this groove 308 forms a notch 318 on a side edge of the front face 310. This notch 318 serves as an entryway for a corresponding rail formed on an inside wall of a jack receptacle, as discussed below.
The latch retaining block 306 is formed on the top side 316 of the connector housing 302 and is positioned near the front face 310 of the housing 302. A cone-shaped axle 304 is formed on a rear-facing side of the latch retaining block 306. The cone-shaped axle 304 is maintained at a height h above the top side 316 of the connector housing 302 and is directed toward the rear side of the connector housing 302. A front-facing surface 320 of the latch retaining block 306 is ramped to assist in guiding the connector 214 into a jack receptacle. A rounded section 322 is formed on top of the latch retaining block 306 and extends in a front-to-rear direction.
A hood 404 extends longitudinally (substantially parallel with the axis of the cylindrical body 408) from the front of the cylindrical body 408 adjacent to the chamfered hole 406. A channel 402 is formed on an inner surface of the hood 404; that is, the surface of the hood 404 that is adjacent to the chamfered hole 406. This channel 402 has a contour that substantially matches the arc of the chamfered hole 406, such that the profile of the channel 402 is continuous with the arc of the hole 406. The profile of the channel 402 also matches the arc of the rounded section 322 on the top side of the latch retaining block 306 (see
A latching protrusion 414 is also formed on the front of the cylindrical body 408, extending laterally from the cylindrical body 408 (substantially orthogonal to the axis of the cylindrical body 408). The latching protrusion 414 extends from a segment of the cylindrical body's profile that is not covered by the hood 404. The torsion latch 204 can comprise a single molded part made of a material (e.g., plastic) that permits flexibility and elasticity of the spring 412.
The upper portion 612 of the receptacle 604 has a cross-shaped profile, including a left channel 610, a right channel 616, and a top channel 608.
To disengage the torsion latch connector 214, downward pressure can be applied to the release lever 410 of the torsion latch 204. Pressing the release lever 410 causes the torsion latch 204 to rotate about the cone-shaped axle 304 in a direction (represented by the arrow in
While the torsion connector 214 is plugged into the jack 202, the positioning of the latching protrusion 414 behind the upper left-side rail 618 of the jack receptacle 604 can yield a more robust engagement relative to cantilevered latches found on many cable connectors, rendering the resulting connection more resistant to accidental disengagement due to excessive force applied to the cable. The lack of a cantilevered latch also renders the torsion latch connector 214 less susceptible to snagging while being pulled through a high-density environment, offering an improved interface for extended handles such as pullers for individual or ganged connector configurations. Moreover, the torsion latch design maintains a familiar user experience, whereby the torsion latch connector 214 is disengaged by applying a downward pressure to a lever 410 on the connector 214, an action similar to that used to disengage cantilevered latches. The disengaged connector 214 can be removed from the jack 202 easily with less resistance due to tensile or side load on the cable while removing the free connector 214 from the jack 202.
The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subject disclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible that are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples, as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.
In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described in connection with various embodiments and corresponding figures, where applicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitute function of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.
In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
What has been described above includes examples of systems and methods illustrative of the disclosed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every combination of components or methodologies here. One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
