Board Connector Fixing Fixture Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional board connectors face issues with fixing strength due to deformation of locking portions under stress, leading to potential disengagement and housing detachment from the circuit board, especially when subjected to upward forces like vibration.
Innovation Solution
The board connector design incorporates a fixing fixture with two vertically arranged locking portions – a projecting locking portion at the upper end and a bent locking portion at the intermediate position – which are engaged with receiving surfaces in the mounting groove, distributing the load and preventing deformation, thereby enhancing the fixing strength without enlarging the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single locking portion is used in the fixture, then the structure is simple, but the fixing strength is insufficient and the locking portion deforms under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple locking portions (first locking portion at the upper end and second locking portion at the lower end) arranged vertically on the fixture. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple engagement points with corresponding receiving surfaces on the mounting groove, preventing deformation of individual locking portions while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Weight of moving object
If the fixture is made thinner for weight saving, then the weight is reduced, but the locking portions deform easily under stress
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the locking function into multiple portions vertically arranged on the thin fixture, the load is distributed across multiple receiving surfaces on the mounting groove. This prevents stress concentration on any single locking portion, maintaining reliability even with a thinner, lighter fixture design.
3Force
If the housing is subjected to upward force during use, then the locking portions must resist this force, but the engagement area is reduced leading to disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portions are arranged vertically (in the height dimension) rather than horizontally, allowing multiple engagement points to be stacked along the vertical axis. This dimensional arrangement increases the total engagement area with the mounting groove without increasing the horizontal footprint, effectively resisting upward forces.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to increase fixing strength of a board connector to a board without leading to the enlargement of a housing and the like. A board connector includes a housing 20 into which a mating connector 50 is to be fitted from front, mounting grooves 30 formed on side surfaces of the housing 20, and fixing fixtures 40 which are made of a metal plate material and to be mounted into the mounting grooves 30 while the plate surfaces thereof move along the side surfaces of the housing 20 and lower end portions of which are to be fixed to a board P. Projecting locking portions 43, 45 laterally projecting along the plate surface and a bent locking portion 44 bent outward substantially at a right angle with respect to the plate surface are vertically arranged one above another on each lateral edge of each fixing fixture 40. On the other hand, each mounting groove 30 includes receiving surfaces 35, 36 and 38 which respectively come into contact with the projecting locking portions 43, 45 and the bent locking portions 44 to prevent downward movements of the locking portions.