Integrated Connector Design Preventing Accidental Unlocking
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Summary
Problems
Existing connectors with elastic latches and connection position safety mechanisms are complex and costly due to separate components on plug and socket connectors, leading to risks of accidental unlocking.
Innovation solutions
A connector design featuring a housing with an integrated elastic latch and connection position safety mechanism, where the elastic latch has a locking and unlocking part, and the connection position safety can move between safety and pre-locking positions, hiding the unlocking part to prevent accidental unlocking.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If the elastic latch and connection position safety mechanism are provided on the plug connector and socket connector respectively, then the connector can prevent accidental unlocking, but the connector structure becomes complex and cost increases
Why choose this principle:
The patent combines the elastic latch and connection position safety mechanism into a single integrated assembly mounted on one connector housing. The elastic latch includes both the locking part that engages with the mating connector and the connection position safety mechanism that prevents accidental unlocking. This merging eliminates the need for separate components on both plug and socket connectors, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining the reliability function of preventing accidental unlocking.
Principle concept:
If the connection position safety mechanism is moved backward to the pre locking position allowing finger contact, then the elastic latch can be unlocked, but the risk of accidental unlocking increases
Why choose this principle:
The patent designs the connection position safety mechanism such that when it is in the pre-locking position, the unlocking part of the elastic latch is nested within or blocked by the connection position safety mechanism structure. This nesting arrangement allows authorized unlocking (when the safety mechanism is intentionally moved) while preventing unauthorized finger contact that could cause accidental unlocking. The unlocking part is effectively hidden or protected by the safety mechanism's structural features.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A connector design featuring a housing with an integrated elastic latch and connection position safety mechanism, where the elastic latch has a locking and unlocking part, and the connection position safety can move between safety and pre-locking positions, hiding the unlocking part to prevent accidental unlocking.
Abstract
A connector and a connector assembly are disclosed. The connector has a housing adapted to be inserted into a mating housing of a mating connector; an elastic latch provided on an outer wall of the housing and having a locking part for locking the mating housing and an unlocking part for unlocking the locking part; and a connection position safety mounted on the outer wall of the housing and adapted to be moved between a safety position to prevent the elastic latch from being unlocked and a pre locking position to allow the elastic latch to be unlocked. When the locking part is locked to the mating housing and the connection position safety is in the pre locking position, the unlocking part is hidden inside the connection position safety, so that human finger cannot contact the unlocking part. Therefore, the present invention can effectively prevent the elastic latch from being accidentally unlocked and improve the use safety of the connector.