TW202425447A - Method and apparatus for securing data communication devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector can include a connector body and a latch coupled to the connector body. The latch can be configured to couple to an anchor element upon movement of the connector body in a first direction. The latch can be configured to decouple from the anchor element upon movement of the connector body in a second direction different from the first direction.

Description

Method and apparatus for fixed data communication devices

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for fixed data communication devices. Cross-references to related applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/378,822, filed on October 7, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

Electrical connectors are typically mated to a mutual power component to establish electrical communication therebetween. In one application, the electrical conductors of the electrical connector are mounted to a mutual power component, such as an electrical cable or an underlying printed circuit board (PCB). In some examples, a first electrical cable connector may be mated with a second electrical connector mounted to the PCB. In some architectures, it is desirable to mount high-density electrical connectors to the PCB. Therefore, a relatively small footprint is required to mount multiple electrical connectors to the PCB. It may be desirable to easily mate and unmate electrical connectors to each other in a compact space.

As a broad overview, the examples described herein may generally relate to interconnects that are configured to repeatedly separate from and latch to mating interconnects, but may also be configured to quickly and/or automatically unlatch or unlock or separate from mating interconnects without a user manually manipulating one or more of: (i) a latch, (ii) an actuator physically attached to the latch that physically contacts the latch when the actuator is moved or manually manipulated, or both, or (iii) a pull tab connected to the latch or actuator.

The types of interconnects include, but are not limited to, any one or more of incompressible fluids, compressible fluids, electrofluids, and optical fluids. The interconnects may include a first component and a second component. The first component may be configured to latch to the second component. The second component may be configured to latch to the first component. The first component may be configured to mate with the second component. The second component may be configured to mate with the first component. The first component may be configured to automatically release or quickly disconnect from the second component by applying a de-mating force to the first component, the second component, or both without damaging any portion of the first component or the second component. The second component may be configured to automatically release or quickly disconnect from the first component by applying a de-mating force to the first component, the second component, or both without damaging any portion of the first component or the second component.

In one example, a data communication assembly includes a first data communication device having a housing body and a data communication component supported by the first housing body. The communication assembly may further include an actuator supported by the housing body. The communication assembly may further include a latch supported by the housing body and configured to engage a second data communication device in a first configuration so as to prevent the first data communication device from being disengaged from the second data communication device. The actuator may be configured to push the latch to a second configuration, whereby the latch becomes disengaged from the second data communication device.

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for securing a first data communication device to a complementary second data communication device when the first data communication device is mated. In one example, either or both of the first data communication device and the second data communication device may be configured as an electrical connector. In other examples, one of the first data communication device and the second data communication device may be configured as an optical transceiver. Thus, information may be communicated as electrical information along electrical conductors and/or as optical information along optical cables.

As used herein, the term "substantially" may refer to manufacturing tolerances. In one example, the term "substantially" used with reference to a size, shape, orientation, or other parameter may be equal to the stated size, shape, orientation, or other parameter and +/-10% of the size, shape, orientation, or other parameter, or the other parameter may be equal to the stated size, shape, orientation, or other parameter, including +/-9% of the size, shape, orientation, or other parameter, or the other parameter may be equal to the stated size, shape, orientation, or other parameter, including +/-8% of the size, shape, orientation, or the other parameter may be equal to the stated size, shape, orientation, or other parameter, including +/-7% of the size, shape, orientation, or the other parameter may be equal to the stated size, shape, orientation, or other parameter, including +/-6% of the size, shape, orientation. , or other parameters may be equal to the stated size, shape, direction, or other parameters, including +/-5% of the size, shape, direction, or other parameters may be equal to the stated size, shape, direction, or other parameters, including +/-4% of the size, shape, direction, or other parameters may be equal to the stated size, shape, direction, or other parameters, including +/-3% of the size, shape, direction, or other parameters may be equal to the stated size, shape, direction, or other parameters, including +/-2% of the size, shape, direction, or other parameters may be equal to the stated size, shape, direction, or other parameters, including +/-1% of the size, shape, direction, or other parameters may be equal to the stated size, shape, direction or other parameters.

Throughout the following description, references to a singular element using terms such as "a," "an," or "the" may also apply to a plurality of elements or at least one of such elements. Thus, the description below of a single element applies with the same force and effect to a plurality of elements, including at least one of such elements. Conversely, references to a plurality of elements may also apply with the same force and effect to a single one of such elements or to at least one of such elements. Additionally, a description of at least one element may apply with the same force and effect to a single element or to a plurality of elements.

Referring first to FIGS. 1A-1B , an assembly may include a first device and a second device configured to cooperate with each other. For example, the assembly may be configured as a communication assembly 50, wherein either or both of the first device and the second device are configured as a first communication device and a second communication device, which are configured to cooperate with each other. In one example, the first communication device may be configured as a first electrical connector 100, and the second communication device may be configured as a second electrical connector 104. Either or both of the electrical connector 100 and the electrical connector 104 may be configured as an electrical connector for conveying data messages. Alternatively, at least one of the first data communication device and the second data communication device may be configured as a transceiver, such as an electrical transceiver or an optical transceiver. In this regard, the first communication device and the second communication device may be referred to as a first data communication device and a second data communication device, respectively. Therefore, the communication assembly 50 may be referred to as a data communication assembly. In other examples, either or both of the electrical connector 100 and the electrical connector 104 may be configured as a power connector for transmitting power. Alternatively, either or both of the electrical connector 100 and the electrical connector 104 may still include a telecommunication conductor for transmitting data information and a power conductor for transmitting power. It should be understood that the first device and the second device may be configured as any suitable device as needed. The second device may be referred to as a complementary device that complements the first communication device, so that the first communication device cooperates with the second communication device. When the first device and the second device are configured as communication devices, it should be understood that the first device and the second device can be configured as any suitable communication devices as needed. Therefore, when the first communication device and the second communication device are configured as data communication devices, it should be understood that the first data communication device and the second data communication device can be configured as any suitable data communication devices as needed.

As shown, the first communication device is configured as a first electrical connector 104, and the second communication device is configured as a second electrical connector 104. The second electrical connector 104 can be mounted to any suitable complementary data communication device, which can be configured as an electrical device such as a substrate 102. In some examples, the substrate 102 can be configured as a printed circuit board (PCB). Therefore, the second electrical connector 104 can be referred to as a board connector.

The first electrical connector 100 may be configured to mate with the second electrical connector 104, and may be further configured to unmate with the second electrical connector 104. The first electrical connector 100 may include a first connector portion 101 and a second connector portion 103. The second connector portion 103 may be fixed to the first connector portion 101. The first connector portion 101 may include an electrically insulating first housing body 106 and a plurality of first data communication components, such as electrical conductors 113 supported by the first housing body 106. The second connector portion 103 may include an electrically insulating second housing body 128 (shown in FIG. 2 ) and a plurality of second data communication components, such as electrical conductors 115 supported by the second housing body 128. If the first electrical connector 100 is instead an optical transceiver, the first shell connector portion 101 and the second shell connector portion 103 may be configured as a first data communication portion and a second data communication portion, and at least one of the first data communication portion and the second data communication portion may have an optical transmission and/or optical receiving engine, such as in the case of an optical transmitter, an optical receiver or an optical transceiver.

As described above, the first connector portion 101 and therefore the first electrical connector 100 may include a plurality of first electrical conductors 113 supported by the first housing body 106. The first electrical conductors 113 may be supported directly by the first housing body 106 or may be supported by one or more supporting structures, which in turn are supported by the first housing body 106. The conductors of the first plurality of electrical conductors 113 may be configured as desired. In one example, the first plurality of electrical conductors 113 may be configured as electrical cables 114 (shown in FIG. 1A ) each having at least one electrical conductor surrounded by an electrical insulator. In this regard, the first connector portion 101 may be referred to as a cable connector portion. The conductors of electrical cable 114 may be electrically shielded or unshielded as desired.

The first electrical conductor 113 supported by the first housing body 106 can make physical and electrical contact with respective ones of the second electrical conductors 115, as shown in Figure 1B. In other examples, such as when the first electrical connector 100 is configured as an optical transceiver, the cable can be configured as an optical cable that carries optical information.

9, the second electrical connector 104 may have an electrically insulated second connector housing 109 and a plurality of data communication components, such as electrical conductors 121 supported by the second connector housing 109. Although FIG. 9 shows only a few conductors 121 extending along respective rows for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that the second electrical connector 121 may include a complete row of conductors as desired. The second connector housing 109 and all connector housings described herein may be defined by a single unitary housing or more than one housing body as desired, which are combined to define a connector housing. The conductors 121 may have mating ends that are configured to mate with mating ends of respective second conductors 115 when the first electrical connector 100 is mated with the second electrical connector 104. The conductors 121 may have mounting ends opposite the mating ends that are configured to be mounted to an electrical assembly, such as the substrate 102 shown in FIG. 1A. In some examples, the substrate 102 may be configured as a printed circuit board (PCB). Thus, when the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 104 are mated with each other, the first electrical conductor 113 may be placed in electrical communication with the conductors 121, and thus in electrical communication with the substrate 102. The conductors 113, 115, and 121 may be arranged in respective rows arranged along the lateral direction A.

1A, when the first electrical connector 100 is mated with the second electrical connector 104, the first electrical connector 100 can extend through the panel 105 so that the first connector portion 101 and the second connector portion 103 are disposed on opposite sides of the panel. The first electrical connector 100 can be releasably secured to the panel 105 as desired. Thus, in some examples, the first electrical connector 100 can be referred to as a panel mount connector. The first connector portion 101 can extend outwardly relative to a first surface of the panel 105, and the second connector portion 103 can extend outwardly relative to a second surface of the panel 105 facing the second electrical connector 104 and the underlying substrate 102. The first surface and the second surface can be opposite to each other along a longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the lateral direction A.

Movement of the first electrical connector 100 in a first or mating direction relative to the second electrical connector 104 may mate the first electrical connector 100 to the second electrical connector 104. Movement of the first electrical connector 100 in a second or unmating direction opposite to the first direction may decouple the first electrical connector 100 from the second electrical connector 104. The first direction may be toward the second electrical connector 104 and may therefore also be toward the substrate 102. Conversely, the second direction may be away from the second electrical connector 104 and therefore also away from the substrate 102. The first direction and the second direction may be oriented along the longitudinal direction L.

Turning back to FIG. 9 , the second electrical connector 104 may extend along a center axis A ₃ oriented along a longitudinal direction L. The second electrical connector 104 may include a housing 109 that defines a hollow portion 208. A lead frame 218 may be positioned in the hollow portion 208 to support the electrical conductor 121. One or more signal conductors 220 may be coupled to the lead frame 218. It should be understood that the electrical conductors of the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector may include signal conductors and ground conductors in any configuration as desired. Adjacent ones of the signal conductors may define a differential signal pair. Alternatively, no electrical conductors may be assigned. The hollow portion 208 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the second housing body 128 ( FIG. 1A ) when the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 104 are mated with each other. The first housing body 106 can be moved in the first direction, so that the second housing body 128 enters the hollow portion 208 and the electrical conductors 115 (shown in FIG. 6A ) on the second housing body 128 are electrically coupled to the signal conductors 220 of the lead frame 218 .

The hollow portion 208 can be configured to receive at least a portion of the latch 140 (see FIG. 3 ). The latch 140 can be made of any suitable material such as plastic or metal. Thus, the latch 140 can be conductive or non-conductive as desired. The housing 109 can include a lip 210 at the entrance of the void 208, as shown in FIG. 9 . The lip 210 can be disposed at an angle relative to the housing 109. When the lip 210 extends in the second direction, the lip 210 can be angled relative to the center axis A _3. The second electrical connector 104 can include one or more fixing elements 212 configured to fix the second electrical connector 104 to the substrate 102. Each fixing element 212 can be a protrusion configured to be received by an opening in the substrate 102.

The first electrical connector 100 may include a latch assembly configured to be removably secured to the second electrical connector 104 when the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 104 are mated with each other. Specifically, the latch assembly is movable between a first or locked configuration (FIG. 7) and a second or unlocked configuration (FIG. 8). In the first configuration, the latch assembly secures the first electrical connector 100 to the second electrical connector 104 so that the first electrical connector 100 cannot be unmated from the second electrical connector 104. In the second configuration, the latch assembly does not prevent the first electrical connector 100 from being unmated from the second electrical connector 104.

2 , the first housing body 106 may be elongated along respective center axes _A1 , which may be oriented along longitudinal directions L. The first housing body 106 may be engaged by a user to selectively move the first electrical connector 100 in a first direction and a second direction. In some examples, the user may manually engage the first housing body 106. In other examples, the user may engage the first housing body 106 with a tool. The first housing body 106 may include a first end 108 and a second end 110. The first end 108 and the second end 110 may be opposite to each other along the center axis _A1 . For example, the second end 110 may be opposite to the first end 108 in the first direction. Conversely, the first end 108 may be opposite to the second end 110 in the second direction. The first housing body 106 may define an internal void 112. The internal void 112 may extend from the first end 108 toward the second end 110. The internal void 112 may extend from the first end 108 to the second end 110. The internal void 112 may extend from the second end 110 toward the first end 108. The internal void 112 may extend through the first end 108. The internal void 112 may extend through the second end 110. The internal void 112 may be configured to receive a data communication element, which may be configured as an electrical cable 114 (FIG. 1). Alternatively, the data communication element may be configured as an optical cable configured to transmit optical information. The electrical cable 114 may include a plurality of communication elements.

The first housing body 106 may include a first portion 116 and a second portion 118. In some examples, the first portion 116 is coupled to the second portion 118 by a coupler 120. In other examples, the first portion 116 and the second portion 118 are a single unit. The coupler 120 may be a latch, a magnet, an adhesive, or a fastener. The coupler 120 may include an arm 122 defining a groove 124 that is configured to receive a protrusion 126 to secure the first portion 116 to the second portion 118. The arm 122 may be flexible. The arm 122 may flex as the protrusion 126 moves into the groove 124. The first portion 116 may be removably coupled to the second portion 118. In one example, the conductor 113 can be installed in the first housing body 106 before securing the first portion 116 to the second portion 118.

The first housing body 106 can be coupled to the second housing body 128. At least a portion of the second housing body 128 can extend into the internal void 112 of the first housing body 106. The second housing body 128 can include an outer wall 130 (FIG. 6A) that defines a respective internal void 132. The second end 110 of the first housing body 106 can contact or otherwise face the first end of the outer wall 130. The outer wall 130 can include a coupling member 134 (FIG. 6A) adapted to couple to a complementary coupling member 136 (FIG. 4A) of the first housing body 106. One of the coupling member 134 and the connector body coupling member 136 can be a protrusion, and the other of the coupling member 134 and the connector body coupling member 136 can be a protrusion that can be received in a groove. In some examples, the first housing body 106 can move relative to the second housing body 128. For example, the first housing body 106 can move relative to the second housing body 128 in the longitudinal direction L. When the first housing body 106 moves relative to the second housing body 128, the coupling member 136 can move relative to the coupling member 134. The coupling member 136 engaged with the coupling member 134 can maintain the alignment of the first housing body 106 relative to the second housing body 128 when the first housing body 106 moves relative to the second housing body 128 along the longitudinal direction L. Alternatively, in other examples, the first housing body 106 may be positionally fixed to the second housing body 128, particularly with respect to relative movement along the longitudinal direction L.

2-3, the first electrical connector 100 may include: a latch assembly including a latch 140 configured to couple the first electrical connector 100 to the second electrical connector 104; and an actuator 172 configured to move or iterate the latch 140 between the first configuration (FIG. 7) and the second configuration (FIG. 8) described above. Specifically, the latch 140 may be locked to the second electrical connector 104 in a first configuration in response to movement of the first electrical connector 100 relative to the second electrical connector 104 in a first direction so as to mate the electrical connectors 100 and 104. The latch 140 can be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration so as to be decoupled or unlocked from the second electrical connector 104 when the first electrical connector 100 moves in the second direction relative to the second electrical connector 104 that is unmated with the electrical connector. The latch 140 can be decoupled from the second electrical connector 104 in response to the first electrical connector 100 moving in the second direction relative to the second electrical connector 104. It should be understood that the latch 140 can be decoupled or unlocked from the second electrical connector 104 without requiring the user to perform a separate decoupling action on the latch 140.

Specifically, referring to FIGS. 2 to 4B , the first electrical connector 100 may include an actuator 172 supported by the first housing body 106. For example, the actuator 172 may extend from the first housing body 106. In one example, the actuator 172 may be monolithic with the first housing body 106 so as to define a single unitary structure. In another example, the actuator 172 may be separate from the first housing body 106 and attached to the first housing body. It will now be described that the actuator 172 may be movably supported by the first housing body 106 from a first position to a second flexed position relative to the first housing body 106. The first position may be a natural or relaxed position, or the actuator 172 may be pre-tensioned such that the first position may be a flexed position, but less flexed than the second flexed position.

The actuator 172 may define a first end 184 extending from the first housing body 106 and a second end 186 opposite the first end 104. In some examples, the second end 186 may be a free end. The actuator 172 may include an actuator head 188 configured to engage the latch 140 so as to move the latch 140 from the first configuration ( FIG. 7 ) to the second configuration ( FIG. 8 ). The actuator 172 may extend from the first housing body 106 to the actuator head 188. In one example, the actuator 172 may include an actuator body 190, which may be configured as a plate, three of the four sides of which are separated from the first housing body 106 by a slot extending through the first housing body 106. The fourth side of the actuator body 190 can define an interface with the first housing body 106. The actuator body 190 can define the first end 184 and can extend toward the actuator head 188. In some examples, the actuator body 190 can be coplanar with the housing body 106 in its natural position.

The actuator 172 may further include at least one actuator arm, such as a first actuator arm 187 and a second actuator arm 189 extending from the actuator body 190 to the actuator head 188. The first arm 187 and the second arm 189 may expand away from the first housing body 106 as they extend in a first direction toward the actuator head 188. The actuator head 188 may extend from respective distal ends of the first arm 187 and the second arm 189 such that the actuator head 188 is spaced apart from the first housing body 106. The first arm 187 and the second arm 189 may be spaced apart from each other along a direction perpendicular to a direction separating a first surface 194 and a second surface 192 of the actuator head 188 (described below). Thus, in one example, the first arm 187 and the second arm 189 can be spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction A. The actuator 172 can thus define an opening 202 extending from the first arm 187 to the second arm 189. The latch 140, and in particular the first latch arm 142, can extend through the opening 202 during use.

Either or both of the actuator body 190 and the at least one arm are configured to flex resiliently relative to the first housing body 106 to move the actuator 172 from its first position to its flexed position. The movement of the actuator 172 from its first position to its flexed position moves the actuator head 188 to a position whereby the actuator head 188 moves the latch 140 from the first configuration to the second configuration. In one example, the actuator head 188 moves toward the first housing body 106 to move the latch 104 from the first configuration to the second configuration.

The actuator head 188 may include a first or inner surface 194 and a second or outer surface 192 opposite the first surface 194. The first surface 194 may face the first housing body 106. Therefore, the first surface 194 may be disposed closer to the first housing body 106 relative to the distance separating the second surface 192 from the first housing body 106. The first surface 194 and the second surface 192 may be opposite to each other along a selected direction (such as substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L) that is offset at an angle. In one example, the first surface 194 and the second surface 192 are opposite to each other along a transverse direction T that is perpendicular to each of the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. Similarly, the first surface 194 and the second surface 192 may be spaced apart from the first housing body 106 along the transverse direction T. In other examples, the first surface 194 and the second surface 192 are opposite to each other along the lateral direction A, depending on which side of the first housing body 106 the actuator 172 is disposed. One of the first surface 194 and the second surface 192 can define an actuation surface configured to contact the latch 140 so as to apply a force to the latch 140, which pushes the latch to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. In one example, the first surface 194 can define the actuation surface, but it should be understood that the latch 140 and the actuator 172 can alternatively be constructed so that the second surface 192 defines the actuation surface.

The actuator head 188 may include a first portion 201 and a second portion 203. The second portion 203 may have a smaller thickness along a selected direction than the first portion 201. The second portion 203 may extend from the first portion 201 in a first direction. Therefore, the second portion 203 may be positioned closer to the second end 110 of the first housing body 106 than the first portion 201. The first surface 194 at the second portion 203 may be offset outwardly away from the first surface 194 of the first housing body 106 at the first portion 201. The second portion 203 may be configured to rest against the latch 140 so as to push the latch 140 to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. Specifically, the first surface 194 at the second portion 203 may bias the latch actuation surface 170 of the latch 140 to move from the first configuration to the second configuration.

The actuator head 188 and in particular the first portion 201 may define a static bearing surface 198 that is configured to bear against or abut against the latch engagement surface 164 of the latch 140 when the actuator 172 is in the first position. The actuator head 188 and in particular the first portion 201 may further define a dynamic bearing surface 196 that is configured to bear against the engagement surface 164 of the latch 140 when the actuator 172 moves from the first position to the second position. In one example, the static bearing surface 198 may be a flat surface. The dynamic bearing surface 196 can be a curved surface that can be defined by a fillet that extends between the static bearing surface 198 and the first surface 194 of the actuator head 188. For example, the dynamic bearing surface 196 can extend from the static bearing surface 198 to the first surface 194 of the actuator head 188. In one example, the dynamic bearing surface 196 can extend from the static bearing surface 198 to the first surface 194 at the first portion 201 of the actuator head 188.

When the actuator 172 flexes from the first position to the second position, the dynamic bearing surface 196 can advance along the engagement surface of the latch 140. Specifically, the movement of the first housing body 106 in the second direction relative to the second housing body 128 and therefore relative to the second electrical connector 104 causes the actuator body 190 and either or both of the at least one arm of the actuator 172 to flex, which causes the actuator head 188 to both move toward the first housing body 106 and tilt in order to change its angular position. In other examples, the actuator head 188 can rotate about a fixed or translatable rotation axis, causing the actuator head 188 to rotate, which thereby causes the actuator head 188 to tilt. As the actuator head 188 travels and tilts toward the first housing body 106, the dynamic bearing surface 196 moves into engagement with at least one engagement surface 164 of the latch 140. In one example, the dynamic bearing surface 196 can move along the engagement surface of the latch 140 because it tilts between these surfaces without slipping. In other examples, these surfaces can slide along each other.

The actuator head 188 can define one or more alignment features 200 that protrude outwardly from the static bearing surface 198. In one example, the alignment features 200 can protrude outwardly from the static bearing surface 198 in a second direction. The alignment features 200 can be spaced apart by a distance that can be measured along an angularly offset third direction (e.g., perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the selected direction). Thus, in one example, the alignment features 200 can be spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction A. The alignment features 200 can be spaced apart from each other by a sufficient distance so that the latch engagement features 162 of the latch 140 that define the engagement surface 164 can abut the static bearing surface 198 between the alignment features 200. Thus, the alignment member 200 can be configured to maintain alignment of the latch 140 relative to the actuator 172. In one example, the alignment member 200 can be spaced a distance apart so that the engagement member 162 of the latch 140 is adjacent to the alignment member 200. In some examples, the alignment member 200 can be adjacent to the engagement member 162. In other examples, the alignment member 200 is spaced apart from the engagement member 162 along the second direction. As described above, the engagement member 162 and therefore at least one engagement surface 164 can be disposed between the alignment member 200. It should be recognized that in other examples, the alignment member 200 can be disposed between the first engagement arm 161 and the second engagement arm 163 of the engagement member 162 (see Figure 5A). The engagement member 162 may define a length along the selected direction that is greater than the distance between the first latch arm 142 and the second latch arm 144 along the selected direction.

The latch 140 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B , 7 , and 8 . Specifically, the latch 140 may include a first or fixed portion configured as a first latch arm 142 and a second or engaging portion configured as a second latch arm 144. The second latch arm 144 may extend from the first latch arm 142. The first latch arm 142 and the second latch arm 144 may be a single-piece structure. Alternatively, the first latch arm 142 and the second latch arm 144 may be separated from each other and attached to each other as desired. In this regard, the entirety of the latch 140 may be a single, unitary component. Alternatively, one or more portions of the latch 140 may be separate from and attached to other portions of the latch 140 as desired. The latch 140 may further include a hinge 146 extending from the first latch arm 142 to the second latch arm 144. The hinge 146 may define a u-shape such that at least respective portions of the first latch arm and the second latch arm 144 are aligned with each other and spaced apart from each other along a selected direction. As described above, the selected direction may be defined by a transverse direction T. Alternatively, the selected direction may be defined by a lateral direction A. In some examples, the hinge 146 is a movable hinge. The first latch arm 142, the second latch arm 144 and the hinge 146 can be a single body structure as required. In other examples, the hinge 146 is any suitable replacement hinge as required.

At least the hinge 146 can be resiliently flexible so that at least one of the first latch arm 142 and the second latch arm 144 can move from a first configuration ( FIG. 7 ) to a second configuration ( FIG. 8 ) relative to the other of the first latch arm 142 and the second latch arm 144, such as around the hinge 146. The hinge 146 can bias the latch 140 toward or to the first configuration. In one example, the first latch arm 142 is fixed to the first housing body 106, and the second latch arm 144 can move around the hinge 146 relative to the first latch arm 142. For example, the second latch arm 144 can move about the hinge 146 in a selected direction relative to the first latch arm 142. In one example, the hinge 146 can flex when the second latch arm 144 moves relative to the first latch arm 142. In one example, the second latch arm 144 can move along an arcuate path relative to the first latch arm 142. The arcuate path can include a directional component defined by the selected direction.

The second latch arm 144 may include a free end 148 and a second end 150 opposite the first end 148. The hinge 146 may extend from the first end 148. The second end 150 may be a free end. When the latch 140 is in the first configuration, the first end 148 may be spaced apart from the first latch arm 142 by a first distance along a selected direction ( FIG. 7 ). When the latch 140 is in the second configuration, the first end 148 may be spaced apart from the first latch arm 142 by a second distance along a selected direction ( FIG. 8 ). The first distance may be greater than the second distance. The second latch arm 144 may be suspended from the hinge 146. The latch 140 may include an overflow slot 152 extending through the hinge 146. The overflow groove 152 can reduce the force required to move the second latch arm 144 relative to the first latch arm 142. In other examples, the overflow groove 152 can be a portion of the hinge 146 having a reduced thickness compared to adjacent portions of the latch 140. Although in one example, the latch 140 flexes around the hinge 146 between the first and second configurations, the latch 140 can flex around any suitable alternative structure as desired.

The latch 140 can be fixed to the first electrical connector 100. For example, the latch 140 can be operatively captured between the first connector portion 101 and the second connector portion 103 relative to relative movement along the longitudinal direction L. For example, the first latch arm 142 can be fixed to the first connector portion 101 relative to movement between the latch 142 and the first connector portion 101 in a first direction. Therefore, the first latch arm 142 can similarly be fixed to all elements of the first connector portion 101 relative to relative movement between the first latch arm 142 and elements of the first connector portion 101, including the first housing body 106 and the actuator head 188. Additionally, the first latch arm 142 can be secured to the second connector portion 103 relative to movement between the first latch arm 142 and the second connector portion 103 in the second direction. Thus, the first latch arm 142 can similarly be secured to all components of the second connector portion 103 relative to movement between the first latch arm 142 and components of the second connector portion 103, including the second housing body 128.

In one example, the latch 140 and in particular the first latch arm 142 may include at least one first engagement member 162 configured to be fixed to the first connector portion 101 relative to relative movement between the first latch arm 142 and the first connector portion 101 in a first direction. The at least one first engagement member 164 may include at least one first engagement surface 164 configured to abut a first stop surface of the first electrical connector 100 and in particular the first connector portion 101. In one example, the first stop surface may be defined by a static bearing surface 198 (see FIG. 3 ) of the actuator 172 when the actuator is in the first position and defined by a dynamic bearing surface 196 when the actuator moves to the second position. The static bearing surface 198 and the dynamic bearing surface 196 can combine to define a single actuator stop surface 205 of the actuator 172 and, therefore, the first connector portion 101. The abutment between the at least one first engagement surface 164 and the stop surface of the first connector portion 101 prevents the engagement member 162 and, therefore, the first latch arm 142 from moving in a first direction relative to the first connector portion 101 and, therefore, relative to the first electrical connector 100. In one example, the first engagement member 162 can include a first engagement arm 161 and a second engagement arm 163 that are spaced apart from each other along a third direction perpendicular to each of the longitudinal direction L and the selected direction. Each of the first and second engagement arms 161, 163 may define a respective first engagement surface 164 of the type described herein. The engagement arms 161 and 163 may extend from a support area of the first latch arm 142 away from the first housing body 106.

3 and 5A to 6B, the latch 140, and in particular the first latch arm 142, may further include a second engagement member 154 configured to secure the latch 140 to the first electrical connector 100 relative to movement of the first latch arm 142 in a second direction relative to the first electrical connector 101, and in particular relative to the second connector portion 103. The second engagement member 154 may be configured as a tab that protrudes away from the first latch arm 142. Specifically, the second engagement member 154 may extend in a direction away from the second latch arm 144 of the latch as it extends in the second direction. The second engagement member 154 may define a second engagement surface 155 that generally faces the second direction.

The second engagement member 154 can be configured to engage the complementary connector engagement member 153 of the first electrical connector 100 and in particular the second connector portion 103 and in particular the second stop surface of the complementary connector engagement member 153. The connector engagement member 153 and therefore the second stop surface can be defined by any suitable surface of the second housing body 128 or supported directly or indirectly by the second housing body. In one example, the second housing body 128 and in particular the flange 156 of the second housing body 128 defines a second stop surface that faces generally in the first direction. In one example, the flange 156 can extend outwardly from the outer surface of the second housing body 128. The second engagement surface 155 of the second engagement member 154 can generally face the second direction and thus face the second stop surface of the flange 156. Therefore, the abutment between the second stop surface of the second housing body 128 and the second engagement surface 155 can prevent the first latch arm 142 from moving relative to the first electrical connector 100 and particularly relative to the second housing body 103 in the second direction.

In some examples, it should be understood that the abutment between the latch 140 and the first and second stop surfaces prevents movement of the latch 140 relative to the first electrical connector in the first and second directions. In other examples, movement of the latch 140 along the longitudinal direction may be permitted to allow the first connector portion 101 to move relative to the second connector portion 103 in the second direction, but not sufficient movement to separate the first connector portion 101 from the second connector portion 103. 1B , the first electrical conductor 113 can overlap the second electrical conductor 115 by a sufficient overlap distance such that the conductors 113 and 115 can wipe along each other and still maintain physical and electrical contact with each other even when the first connector portion 101 moves a distance less than the overlap distance away from the second connector portion 103. Thus, it can be said that the latch 104 can engage the first electrical connector 100, and in particular the first connector portion 101 and the second connector portion 103, in the manner described above so as to substantially prevent the latch 104 from moving a distance sufficient to separate the first electrical conductor 113 and the second electrical conductor 115 from each other.

For example, the engagement surface 164 and the second stop surface of the connector engagement member 153 are spaced apart from each other by a first longitudinal distance along the longitudinal direction L, and the actuator stop surface 205 and the second engagement surface 155 of the latch 140 are spaced apart from each other by a second longitudinal distance along the longitudinal direction. The second longitudinal distance may be less than the first longitudinal distance. Thus, the first connector portion 101 may be movable relative to the second connector portion 103 in the second direction. The second longitudinal distance may be less than the first longitudinal distance difference, which may be less than the longitudinal distance along which the first conductor 113 and the second conductor 115 overlap. Thus, the first connector portion 101 can be moved in the second direction relative to the second connector portion 103 by only a distance that does not disconnect the first electrical conductor 113 from the second electrical conductor 115. In other examples, the first electrical connector 100 can be constructed so that when the latch 104 is in the first configuration, the first housing body 106 can be moved in the second direction relative to the second housing body 128 in the manner described above, while the respective first electrical conductor 113 and the second electrical conductor 115 remain stationary and engaged with each other.

Although the first latch arm 142 may be attached to the first connector portion 101 and the second connector portion 103, respectively, relative movement between the first latch arm 142 and the first connector portion 101 in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, is substantially prevented in the manner described above. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the electrical connector 100 may be configured such that the first latch arm 142 is attached to the first connector portion 101 to substantially prevent relative movement between the first latch arm 142 and the first portion 101 in the second direction, and is attached to the second connector portion 103 to substantially prevent relative movement between the first latch arm 142 and the second connector portion 103 in the first direction. Thus, it can be said that the first latch arm 142 can be attached to the first connector portion 101 to substantially prevent relative movement between the first latch arm 142 and the first connector portion 101 in one of the first direction and the second direction, and can be attached to the second connector portion 103 to substantially prevent relative movement between the first latch arm 142 and the second connector portion 103 in the other of the first direction and the second direction. Although certain suitable methods and apparatus for securing the first latch arm 142 to the first electrical connector 100 have been described, it should be understood that the latch 140 can be attached to the first electrical connector 100, and in particular to the first connector portion 101 and the second connector portion 103, in any suitable alternative manner as desired.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5A to FIG. 6B, the latch 140 may include at least one first latch fixing member 166 configured to engage the second electrical connector 104 so as to prevent the first electrical connector 100 from moving in the second direction a distance sufficient to unmate the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 104 when the latch 140 is in the first configuration (FIG. 7). When the latch 140 moves to the second configuration (FIG. 8), the at least one fixing member 166 is disengaged from the second electrical connector 104, thereby allowing the first electrical connector 100 to move in the second direction relative to the second electrical connector 104 a distance sufficient to unmate the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 104. The latch securing member 166 can move in the same direction as the free end 148, so that when the latch 140 moves to the second configuration, the latch securing member 166 can move toward the first latch arm 142. In one example, the first electrical connector 100 can be completely removed from the second electrical connector 104.

In one example, at least one fixing member 166 can protrude outwardly from the second latch arm 144 of the latch 140 in an angularly offset direction (e.g., perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L). In one example, at least one fixing member 166 can protrude outwardly from the second latch arm 144 of the latch 140 in a selected direction. For example, at least one fixing member 166 can protrude outwardly from the second latch arm 144 of the latch 140 in a direction away from the first latch arm 142. The fixing member 166 can extend outwardly from the second latch arm 144 at a position between the first end 148 and the second end 150. At least one first fixing member 166 may define a first fixing surface 167 that is configured to be adjacent to a complementary connector fixing surface 169 of the second electrical connector 104. The first fixing surface 167 may generally face the second direction. At least one fixing member 166 may include a first fixing member 166a and a second fixing member 166b that may be spaced apart in any suitable direction herein, such as a third direction perpendicular to the selection direction and the longitudinal direction L. Each of the first fixing member 166a and the second fixing member 166b may define a respective first fixing surface 167.

The second electrical connector 104 can define a second complementary connector fixing member 168 that defines a second or connector fixing surface 169. The connector fixing surface 169 can generally face in the first direction. When the latch 140 is in the first configuration, each first fixing surface 167 can be aligned with the second fixing surface 169 along the longitudinal direction L. Because the latch 140 is fixed to the first electrical connector 100 in the manner described above, and because the first fixing surface 167 and the second fixing surface 169 are aligned with each other when the latch 140 is in the first configuration, the first fixing surface 167 and the second fixing surface 169 are adjacent to each other so as to prevent the first electrical connector 100 from being unmated and separated from the second electrical connector 104.

One of the latch securing member 166 and the connector securing member 168 may be a protrusion, and the other of the latch securing member 166 and the connector securing member 168 may be an aperture configured to receive the protrusion so as to place the respective securing surfaces 167 and 169 into alignment with each other in the manner described above. For example, the latch securing member 166 may be configured as a protrusion, and the connector securing member 168 may be configured as a groove. In one example, the groove may extend through the second connector housing 109. In other examples, the second electrical connector 104 may include a plate that at least partially surrounds or is otherwise adjacent to the second connector housing 109. The plate may define an aperture as desired. Therefore, references to the housing of the second electrical connector 104 defining a connector securing member for engaging the latch securing member 166 may apply to either or both of the connector housing 166 and the plate. The latching plate may be metallic or otherwise electrically conductive or may be electrically insulating as desired.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2-3 and 7-8, and as described above, the latch 140 can be elastically movable or configured to be elastically flexed from a first configuration to a second configuration. The latch 140 can be free of a spring, such as a coil spring, between the first latch arm 142 and the second latch arm 144. The latch 140 can be electrically isolated from all electrical conductors. In the first configuration, at least one latch fixing member 166 and in particular the fixing surface 167 is aligned with the connector fixing member 168 and in particular the fixing surface in the longitudinal direction L. In the second configuration, the latch fixing member 166 can be disengaged from the connector fixing member 168. In particular, at least one latch securing member 166 and in particular securing surface 167 moves in the longitudinal direction L so as not to be aligned with the connector securing member 168 and in particular securing surface. The latch 140 can be naturally biased to the first configuration so that the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 104 cannot be accidentally unmated and uncoupled, but can be unmated only when a pulling force is applied to either or both of the first housing body 106 and the cable 114. The latch 140 can be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration without damaging the cable. The latch 140 can be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration without damaging the first electrical connector 100. The latch 140 can be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration without damaging the second electrical connector 104. The latch 140 can be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration without damaging the latch 140. The latch 140 can be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration without damaging the electrical conductors 113 and/or 115. In examples where the first data communication device, such as the first electrical connector 100, does not include a cable, a pulling force can be applied only to the first housing body 106 to unmate the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 104. For example, the latch 140 is not moved from the first configuration to the second configuration by applying a pushing force to the first electrical connector 100. In some examples, the first electrical connector 100 may not include either or both of a pull tab and a button that are actuated to move the latch 140 between the first configuration and the second configuration.

During operation, when it is desired to unmate the first electrical connector 100 from the second electrical connector 104, an unmating force may be applied to either or both of the first housing body 106 and the cable 114 in a second direction relative to the second electrical connector 104. When the unmating force reaches a predetermined threshold, the actuator 172 moves the latch 140 to the second configuration, as will now be described. The force may be applied manually or using any suitable instrument as desired. If a breakaway force is applied to the cable 114, the force is high enough to prevent accidental breakaway forces, such as those that may be applied by shock and vibration during use, but low enough to avoid damage to the latch 140, actuator 172, and cable 114.

The breakaway force in the second direction moves the second latch arm 144 in a selected direction toward the first latch arm 142 to define a second configuration of the latch 140. Thus, it can be said that the breakaway force is directed in a direction different from the direction in which the latch arm 144 moves as the latch 140 iterates from the first configuration to the second configuration. Furthermore, it should be understood that the latch 140 is compressed by the actuator 172 as it iterates from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first housing body 106 can have a textured outer surface 111 configured to be gripped when the breakaway force is applied. As described above, when the latch 40 is in the first configuration, the first connector portion 101 is movable in the second direction relative to the second connector portion 103, but not sufficiently to disengage the first and second electrical conductors 113, 115 (see FIG. 1B) from each other.

Movement of the first connector portion 101, and in particular the first housing body 106, in the second direction relative to the second connector portion 103, and in particular the second housing body 128, causes the actuator 172 to move from the first position to the flexed position as described above, thereby causing the latch 140 to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. At least one of the actuator body 190 and at least one of the actuator arms, such as the actuator arms 187 and 189 (see FIG. 4A ), may be flexible. Therefore, when the first housing body 106 moves in the second direction relative to the second housing body 128, the actuator head 188 and in particular the static bearing surface 198 of the actuator 172 rests on the engagement member 162 of the latch 140 and in particular on the engagement surface 162. Continued movement of the first housing body 106 relative to the second housing body 128 in the second direction causes the actuator arms 187 and 189 to flex inwardly or toward a center axis _A1 (see FIG. 14) of the first electrical connector 100 in a selected direction, or toward respective first and second actuator arms 387 and 389 of the second actuator 370 if the electrical connector 100 includes a second actuator 370 (see FIGS. 10A-13). The center axis _A1 may extend in a longitudinal direction L. As the arms 187 and 189 flex inwardly, the arms 187 and 189 cause the actuator head 188 to similarly move inwardly and tilt in a selected direction. As the actuator head 188 tilts, the dynamic bearing surface 196 rests on the engagement surface 164 of the latch engagement member 162. The curvature of the dynamic bearing surface 196 allows the dynamic bearing surface 196 to remain in contact with the engagement surface 164 as the actuator head 188 continues to tilt while the first housing body 106 continues to move in the second direction. The actuator head 188 can be tilted so that the second portion 203 moves inwardly at a greater rate than the first portion 201 of the actuator head 188. As the actuator head 188 moves in the inward direction, the actuator head 188 rests on the latch actuating body 165 of the latch 140. The latch actuation body 165 can define a latch actuation surface 170 of the latch 140. The latch actuation surface 170 can be defined by the second latch arm 144 of the latch 140. The latch actuation surface 170 can be disposed between the first end 148 of the second latch arm 144 and the latch securing member 166. The securing member 168 can be positioned between the engagement surface 170 and the second end 150 of the second latch arm 144. The actuation surface 170 can face away from the first latch arm 142 in a selected orientation. In some examples, the actuation surface 170 can define the first end 148 of the second latch arm 144. The first surface 194 (also referred to as the actuator surface) at the second portion 203 of the actuator head 188 can be on the latch actuation surface 170. In particular, the actuator head 188 can push the latch actuation surface 170 and thus push the second arm 144 to move in the disengagement direction. In particular, the latch actuation surface 170 can move inwardly toward the first latch arm 142. As described above, when the latch actuation surface 170 moves toward the first latch arm 142, the latch 140 and, in particular, the hinge 146 can be elastically flexed. Alternatively or additionally, the second latch arm 144 may be resiliently flexed when the latch actuation surface 170 moves in the disengagement direction. Thus, at least one latch arm, such as the second latch arm 144, automatically moves in a selected direction when the actuator 172 moves. Additionally, when a disengagement force is applied to the first housing body or any suitable alternative housing of the first electrical connector 100 that supports the actuator 172 in the manner described herein, at least one latch arm, such as the second latch arm 144, automatically moves in a selected direction. Additionally, the latch assembly may be constructed as described herein such that the second latch arm 144 is physically contacted only directly or indirectly by the actuator 172. Additionally, the actuator 172 moves the latch 140 to the second configuration by merely contacting and applying force to the housing body 106 and/or the electrical cable 114. Additionally, the latch assembly may be constructed as described herein such that the latch arms 142 and 144 are compressed only by the actuator 172 to the second configuration and are released only by the actuator 172 to move to the first configuration.

The movement of the second latch arm 144 in the disengagement direction causes the latch securing member 166 (which is carried by the second latch arm 144) to similarly move in the disengagement direction. The second latch arm 144 is pushed by the actuator head 188 to move a sufficient distance in the disengagement direction so that the latch securing member 166 is disengaged from the connector securing member 168. Specifically, the latch securing member moves so as not to be aligned with the connector securing surface 169 of the second electrical connector 204. For example, the latch securing member 166 can move out of the aperture defined by the connector securing member 168. Because the securing surface 167 of the latch securing member 166 is not aligned with the connector securing surface 169 along the longitudinal direction L when the latch 140 is in the second configuration, the latch 140 no longer prevents or restricts relative movement of the first electrical connector 100 relative to the second electrical connector 104 in the second direction. The first electrical connector 100 can then be unmated and removed from the second electrical connector 104. Thus, when a disengagement force is applied to the housing body 106, the first electrical connector 100 can be unlatched from the second electrical connector. In addition, when a disengagement force is applied to the cable 144, the first electrical connector 100 can be unlatched from the second electrical connector 104, which then transmits the force to the housing body 106.

It may become desirable to again mate the first electrical connector 100, or a different electrical connector as described above with respect to the first electrical connector 100, with the second electrical connector 104. In this case, the electrical connector may be driven in a first or mating direction until the first housing body 106 is inserted into, received by, or otherwise engages the connector housing 109 of the second electrical connector 104, such as when the second electrical conductor 115 mates with the electrical conductor 121 of the second electrical connector 104. The second latch arm 144 of the latch 140 may be urged to be flexed in a disengaging direction by the connector housing 109 of the second electrical connector 104 during mating. Specifically, when the first housing body 106 moves in the first direction, the angled lip 210 (see FIG. 9 ) of the second connector housing 109 can move the latch 140 from the first configuration to the second configuration to position the second housing body 128 within the hollow portion 208. The first electrical connector 100 is mated with the second electrical connector 104 until the latch retaining member 166 becomes aligned with the complementary connector retaining member 168. The second latch arm 144 then flexes toward the first configuration under the natural bias of the latch 140 until the latch retaining member 166 engages with the connector retaining member 168 in the manner described above.

The latch 140 may include a limiter 174 configured to limit movement of the second latch arm 144 in the disengagement direction. The limiter 174 may be configured to limit movement of the second latch arm 144, for example, in a selected direction toward the first latch arm 142. The limiter 174 may be configured as a tab that protrudes inwardly from the second latch arm 144 toward the first latch arm 142. The limiter 174 may have a width in the third direction that is greater than the width of an adjacent portion of the second latch arm 144, or may have any suitable alternative width as desired. For example, the limiter 174 may extend from the latch actuation body 165. The limiter 174 may include a first limiter 174 and a second limiter 175. The first limiter 174 may be spaced apart from the second limiter 175 in the third direction. The limiter 174 may be configured to engage the base limiter.

When the latch 140 is in the first configuration, the limiter 174 can engage the second housing body 128. The limiter 174 can move toward the first latch arm 142 when the latch 140 moves to the second configuration. The limiter 174 can contact the first latch arm 142 so as to limit the amount of flexion of the latch 140 when it moves to the second configuration. The latch arms 142 and 144 can be safe to touch, as described in Section 10.2 of the UL Standard 1977, even when the latch 140 is not powered. Specifically, the user's fingers cannot access the latch 140. For example, the actuator 172 can be specifically disposed on the outside of the latch 140 at the first side of the panel 105. Thus, the actuator 172 provides a physical barrier to the access latch 140. Where there may be a gap between the panel 105 and the actuator 172, the gap may be greater than zero but less than substantially 5 mm, such as greater than zero mm but less than substantially 4 mm, such as greater than zero mm but less than substantially 3 mm, such as greater than zero mm but less than substantially 2 mm, such as greater than zero mm but less than substantially 1 mm.

Referring now also to FIG. 2 , it should be understood that the first electrical connector 100 may include any number of actuators 172 and latches 140 constructed and configured to operate in the manner described above as desired. In one example, a second actuator 372 and a second latch 340 may be supported to a second side of the first electrical connector 100 opposite the first side of the first electrical connector 100 supporting the first actuator 172 and latch 140. The second latch 340 and the second actuator 372 are depicted as having the same elements relative to the first actuator 172 and the first latch 140, and may be configured as described herein with respect to the first actuator 172 and the first latch 140.

1A , the first electrical connector 100 can have a compact design that allows multiple connectors to be coupled to the substrate 102 in a small area. At least one actuator, such as the first actuator 172 and the second actuator 372, can allow the first electrical connector 100 to be detached from the second electrical connector 104 without positioning a tool or a person's fingers between adjacent electrical connectors 100. Thus, the first latch 140 and the second latch 340 and in particular the respective latch arms 142 and 144 are configured to not be touched by a user or an external tool when the electrical connectors 100 and 104 are mated with each other to iterate the respective latches from the first configuration to the second configuration.

14 , the first electrical connector 100 may have a thickness D1 in the transverse direction T. In one example, the thickness is about 23 mm. The thickness D1 may be the distance between the first edge 192 of the first actuator 172 and the first surface 392 of the second actuator 372. The distance D2 between the center axis _A1 of the first connector 100 and the center axis _A5 of the second connector 500 may be about 1 mm greater than the thickness D1. The distance D2 may be about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, about 1 mm to about 2 mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 4 mm to about 7 mm, or about 7 mm to about 10 mm greater than the thickness D1. Additionally, the first connector 100 may be positioned relative to the second connector 500 such that adjacent actuators between the first connector 100 and the second connector 500 do not contact each other regardless of the latch configuration (eg, the first configuration, the second configuration, a transition therebetween, and the like).

Although the system and method have been described in conjunction with various specific examples of the various drawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these specific examples without departing from the broad inventive concepts of these specific examples. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

When a value is expressed as an approximate value by using "about" in the front, it should be understood that a specific value forms another specific example. In general, the use of the term "about" indicates approximate values, which may vary depending on the desired properties attempted to be obtained by the disclosed subject matter, and should be interpreted based on its function in the specific context in which it is used, and those with ordinary knowledge in the art will be able to interpret it accordingly. In some cases, the number of significant figures used for a specific value can be a non-limiting method for determining the degree of the word "about". In other cases, the grading used for a series of numerical values can be used to determine the expected range that can be used for the term "about" for each value. Where present, all ranges are inclusive and combinable. That is, the reference to the value stated by range includes every value in that range.

Throughout this specification, words should be given their normal meanings as understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the art. However, in order to avoid misunderstanding, the meanings of specific terms will be specifically defined or clarified.

It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods described herein do not necessarily need to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be exemplary only. Similarly, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined in methods consistent with various specific embodiments of the present invention. Although the elements (if any) in the following method claims are listed in specific sequences with corresponding labels, unless the patent scope description otherwise implies a specific sequence for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that specific sequence.

50: Communication assembly 100: First electrical connector 101: First connector portion 102: Substrate 103: Second connector portion/second housing body 104: Second electrical connector 105: Panel 106: First housing body 108: First end 109: Electrically insulated second connector housing 110: Second end 111: Textured outer surface 112: Internal void 113: First conductor 114: Electrical cable 115: Second conductor 116: First portion 118: Second portion 120: Coupler 121: Conductor 122: Arm 124: Groove 126: Protrusion 128: Second housing body 130: Outer wall 132: Respective internal gaps 134: Coupling member 136: Connector body coupling member/complementary coupling member 140: Latch 142: First latch arm 144: Second latch arm 146: Hinge 148: Free end/first end 150: Second end 152: Overflow groove 153: Complementary connector engagement member 154: Second engagement member 155: Second engagement surface 156: Flange 161: First engagement arm 162: Engagement member 163: Second engagement arm 164: first engagement member/latch engagement surface/first engagement surface 165: latch actuating body 166: latch fixing member 167: respective first fixing surface 168: complementary connector fixing member 169: complementary connector fixing surface 170: latch actuating surface 172: first actuator 174: first limiter 175: second limiter 184: first end 186: second end 187: first actuator arm 188: actuator head 189: second actuator arm 190: actuator body 192: second or outer surface 194: first or inner surface 196: dynamic bearing surface 198: static bearing surface 200: alignment member 201: first portion 202: opening 203: second portion 205: single actuator stop surface 208: hollow portion/gap 210: lip 212: fixing element 218: lead frame 220: signal conductor 340: second latch 370: second actuator 372: second actuator 387: first actuator arm 389: second actuator arm 392: first surface 500: second connector 166a: first fixing member 166b: second fixing member A: lateral direction D1: thickness D2: distance L: longitudinal direction T: transverse direction

The present application is further understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the subject matter, exemplary aspects of the subject matter are shown in the drawings; however, the subject matter of the present invention is not limited to the specific methods, devices, and systems disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a data communication assembly, the data communication assembly comprising a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector mating with each other, wherein the second electrical connector is shown in one example as being mounted to a substrate;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly of the data communication assembly of FIG. 1A , with a portion removed to illustrate the first electrical conductor of the first electrical connector mating with the second electrical conductor of the second electrical connector;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first electrical connector of FIG. 1A , which is shown to include the latch assembly of FIG. 2 and a connector housing, the connector housing defining a first housing body and a second housing body;

[FIG. 3] is a cross-sectional view of the data communication assembly of FIG. 1A showing a latch assembly configured to releasably latch a first electrical connector to a second electrical connector, wherein an actuator of the latch assembly is shown in a first position and a latch of the latch assembly is shown in a first configuration;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a portion of the first electrical connector of FIG. 2 , showing a first housing body and an actuator of a latch assembly extending from the first housing body;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the first housing body of FIG. 4A ;

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of a latch of the first electrical connector of FIG. 1A , which is configured to be releasably secured to a second electrical connector;

FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the latch of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 6A is a perspective cross-sectional view of the second housing body of FIG. 2 ;

[FIG. 6B] is an enlarged portion of the latch of FIGS. 5A to 5B, which is shown engaged with the second housing body shown in FIG. 6A.

[FIG. 7] is a side view of a latch assembly including the latch and actuator of FIG. 3, showing the latch assembly in a first or locked configuration;

[FIG. 8] is a side view of the latch assembly of FIG. 7 shown in a second or unlocked configuration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second electrical connector of FIG. 1A ;

FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of the second latch of the connector of FIG. 1A ;

FIG. 10B is a rear perspective view of the second latch of the connector of FIG. 10A ;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a second latch assembly including the second latch and actuator of FIGS. 10A-10B , showing the second latch assembly in a first or locked configuration;

[FIG. 12] is a side view of the second latch assembly of FIG. 12, shown in a second or unlocked configuration;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first housing body of the first electrical connector of FIG. 2 ; and

[FIG. 14] is a side view of the data communication assembly of FIG. 1A, showing a plurality of first connectors and second connectors mating with each other, wherein the second electrical connector is mounted to a substrate.

Aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise specified.

50: Communication assembly

100: First electrical connector

101: First connector part

102: Substrate

103: Second connector part/second housing body

104: Second electrical connector

105: Panel

106: First outer shell body

109: Electrically insulated second connector housing

114: Electrical cable

A: Lateral direction

L: Longitudinal direction

T: Horizontal direction

Claims (52)

A communication assembly comprising: a first device having a housing body and an actuator supported by the housing body; and a latch supported by the housing body and configured to engage a second device in a first configuration so as to prevent the first device from being disengaged from the second device, wherein the actuator is configured to push the latch to a second configuration, whereby the latch becomes disengaged from the second device. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a first data communication device having a data communication component supported by the housing body, and the second device comprises a second data communication device. A communications assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the latch is captured by the second device. A communications assembly as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the latch elastically flexes between the first configuration and the second configuration. A communication assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first device moves in a first direction to mate with the second device and moves in a second direction to separate from the second device. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction. A communications assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an anchoring element fixed to the second device. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second device is configured to be mounted to a substrate via the anchor element such that the first device communicates with the substrate when the first device and the second device mate with each other. A communications assembly as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the data communications components comprise electrical conductors. A communication assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the latch includes a first fixing part and the second device includes a second fixing part, wherein one of the first fixing part and the second fixing part latches is a protrusion, and the protrusion is configured to be received in a hole in the other of the first fixing part and the second fixing part when the latch is in the first configuration. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first fixing component is detachably coupled to the second fixing component. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the actuator is configured to push the first fixed component to decouple from the second fixed component. A communications assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein movement of the first device in the second direction causes the actuator to move from a first position to a second position, which causes the actuator to push the latch to move to the second configuration. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the actuator includes an actuator head and at least one flexible arm extending from the actuator head to the housing body, wherein the flexible arm flexes when the first device is pushed to move in the second direction, thereby causing the actuator head to move from the first position to the second position, and the actuator head rests on the latch to move the latch from the first configuration to the second configuration. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one flexible arm includes a first flexible arm and a second flexible arm spaced apart from each other to define an opening. A communications assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein a portion of the latch extends through the opening. A communications assembly as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the actuator head tilts as the actuator moves from the first position to the second position. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the actuator includes a static bearing surface and a dynamic bearing surface, wherein the latch further includes a latch engaging part, and wherein when the actuator is in the first position, the static bearing surface abuts against the latch engaging part, and when the actuator moves to the second position, the dynamic bearing surface moves along the latch engaging part. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the latch further includes an engagement surface, wherein the dynamic bearing surface is curved and engages the latch engagement surface of the latch engagement member when the actuator moves from the first position to the second position. A communication assembly as in any one of claims 18 to 19, wherein the latch further comprises a first latch portion including the latch engaging member, and a second latch arm including a first fixing member. A communications assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the actuator is configured to engage a free end of the latch to move the latch from the first configuration to the second configuration. A communication assembly as in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the first device further comprises a second shell body, and the latch is fixed to the shell body and the second shell body of the first device. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the latch is captured between the housing body of the first device and the second housing body relative to movement in the first direction and the second direction. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein the latch permits limited movement of the housing body of the first device away from the second housing body in the second direction. A communications assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein movement of the housing body of the first device away from the second housing body causes the actuator to bias the latch to the second configuration. A communication assembly as in any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the first direction and the second direction are oriented along a longitudinal direction, and at least a portion of the actuator is configured to move in a selected direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to push the latch from the first configuration to the second configuration. A communication assembly as in any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the first device and the second device comprise a first data communication device and a second data communication device, respectively. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein the first data communication device and the second data communication device include electrical connectors so that these data communication components are individual electrical conductors. A communications assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein at least one of the first data communication device and the second data communication device comprises an optical transceiver. A communication assembly comprising: A first electrical connector comprising: A first connector portion including an electrically insulated first housing body and a plurality of first electrical conductors supported by the first housing body; A second connector portion including an electrically insulated second housing body and a plurality of second electrical conductors supported by the second housing body; and A latch fixed to the first housing body and the second housing body, wherein the latch is movable between a first configuration for locking the first electrical connector to a mated second electrical connector and a second configuration for unlocking the first electrical connector from the second electrical connector. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein the latch is captured between the first shell body and the second shell body. A communications assembly as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 31, wherein the latch comprises a first latch arm fixed to the first housing body and the second housing body, and the latch further comprises a second latch arm carrying a fixing member configured to engage the second electrical connector in the first configuration so as to lock the second electrical connector to the first electrical connector. A communications assembly as in any of claims 30 to 32, wherein the latch comprises a hinge extending from the first latch arm and to the second latch arm. A communications assembly as claimed in claim 33, wherein the hinge elastically flexes between the first configuration and the second configuration. A communications assembly as in any of claims 30 to 34, wherein the first electrical connector includes an actuator configured to push the latch to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. A communications assembly as in claim 35, wherein the first connector portion is movable away from the second connector portion, causing the actuator to push the latch to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 35, wherein the actuator includes an arm extending from the first housing body, and movement of the first connector portion away from the second connector portion causes the arm to flex, thereby moving the actuator from a first position to a second position, which causes the actuator to push the latch to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. A communications assembly as in any one of claims 30 to 37, further comprising the second electrical connector. A communication assembly, comprising: a first device having a housing body and a data communication component supported by the housing body; a latch member supported by the housing body for engaging a second device in a first configuration to prevent the first device from being disengaged from the second device; and an actuating member supported by the housing body for pushing the latch member to a second configuration, whereby the latch member becomes disengaged from the second device. A communications assembly as claimed in claim 39, wherein the latch member is captured by the second device. A communications assembly as in either of claims 39 or 40, wherein the latch member elastically flexes between the first configuration and the second configuration. A communications assembly as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 40, wherein the first device moves in a first direction to mate with the second device and moves in a second direction to separate from the second device. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 42, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction. A communications assembly as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 43, further comprising an anchoring member secured to the second device. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 44, wherein the second device is configured to be mounted to a substrate via the anchoring member such that the first device communicates with the substrate when the first device and the second device mate with each other. A communications assembly as in any one of claims 39 to 45, wherein the first device and the second device comprise conductors. A communications assembly as in any one of claims 39 to 46, wherein the second device includes a securing member for coupling with the latch member of the first device when the latch member is in the first configuration. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 47, wherein the latch member is detachably coupled to the fixed member. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 47, wherein the actuating member is configured to push the latch member to decouple from the fixed member. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 49, wherein movement of the first device in the second direction causes the actuator to move from the first position to the second position, which causes the actuating member to push the latch member to move to the second configuration. A communications assembly as claimed in claim 50, wherein the latch member is captured between the housing body of the first device and the second housing body relative to movement in the first direction and the second direction. A communication assembly as claimed in claim 49, wherein the latch member permits limited movement of the housing body of the first device away from the second housing body in the second direction.

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