Cable Connector Guide Surface Design for Springless Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable connectors are prone to scratches during manufacturing and assembly, leading to defective judgments and increased production costs due to the need for additional springs to facilitate the return of moving members, complicating the assembly process and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A cable connector design featuring a case with a smooth guide surface and a flexible arm that allows the unlocking member to return without a spring, utilizing a polished surface for reduced friction and simplified structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rough surface is adopted on the case to prevent scratches during manufacturing and assembly, then the surface durability is improved, but the friction increases making it difficult for the moving member to return automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The case surface is designed with different local properties: the guide surface has a smooth polished finish to reduce friction and enable automatic return, while other external surfaces have a rough texture for scratch resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying smooth surface only where low friction is needed for the moving member's return motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The case surface is segmented into functionally distinct zones: a smooth guide surface area for the moving member interaction and rough textured areas for general durability. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its surface properties for its specific function without compromising the other.
2Ease of operation
If an additional spring is added to facilitate the return of the moving member, then the automatic return capability is improved, but the device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is completely removed from the design. Instead of adding a spring to provide return force, the invention extracts the friction-reducing function by creating a smooth guide surface that enables the flexible latch's elasticity to naturally propel the moving member back without any additional mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The smooth guide surface serves itself by providing the low-friction pathway needed for automatic return. The surface geometry and finish work together with the flexible latch's inherent elasticity to create a self-actuating return mechanism that requires no external springs or additional energy sources.
3Ease of operation
If a smooth guide surface is used to reduce friction, then the automatic return capability is improved, but the surface becomes more prone to scratches during manufacturing and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The case surface is designed with different local properties: the guide surface has a smooth polished finish to reduce friction and enable automatic return, while other external surfaces have a rough texture for scratch resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying smooth surface only where low friction is needed for the moving member's return motion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces scratch formation, simplifies the assembly process, and lowers production costs by enabling the unlocking member to return elastically without additional springs, enhancing the connector's functionality and yield rate.
Implementation Method 1
the released moving member is restricted by the rough surfaces of the case so that it is hard to be pushed to return by elasticity of the flexible latch
Implementation Method 2
The guide surface is a smooth (polished) surface... Part of the flexible arm attaches to the guide surface... The handle may slide without forcing to return to the original position along the oblique surface of the guide surface by the pressure from the flexible arm with respect to the smooth surfaces of the pushing block, flexible arm and guide surface
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector includes a case, a fastener and an unlocking member. At least one side of the case has a texture area with a guide surface which is a smooth surface. The fastener is attached on the case and extended with a flexible arm. Part of the flexible arm is attached to the guide surface. The unlocking member includes a handle and a pushing block connected to the handle. The pushing block is sandwiched between the case and the flexible arm. When the unlocking member is pulled, the pushing block moves along the guide surface to separate the flexible arm from the case. When the unlocking member is released, the pushing block is pressed by the flexible arm to slide and return along the guide surface. The pushing block may return to original position without elasticity of a spring to simplify the structure and save the costs.