Cantilever Lock Arm Connector for Lower-Profile Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face challenges in lowering the height-wise position of the lock arm during fitting, as the elastic deformation of the lock arm in a bending space above the female housing does not allow sufficient reduction in height.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a cantilever-style lock arm with a reference surface and concave surface configuration, where the lock arm extends from the main body part, allowing the lock arm to deform downward and position the reference surface below the contact point with the interference part, thereby lowering the height-wise position of contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the lock arm is configured to elastically deform in the bending space formed above the main body of the female housing, then the lock arm can function properly during fitting, but the height-wise position of the lock arm cannot be sufficiently lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm structure transitions from a conventional horizontal arrangement to a vertical cantilever configuration. The lock arm extends downward from the upper surface of the housing body, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve elastic deformation. This dimensional change allows the lock arm to be positioned lower while maintaining its locking function through vertical elastic deformation rather than horizontal bending.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the lock arm extending horizontally from the side of the housing body, the invention inverts the configuration by having the lock arm extend vertically downward from the upper surface. The free end of the lock arm is positioned at the lower side, and elastic deformation occurs in the vertical direction during fitting, which is the opposite of conventional horizontal deformation.
2Shape
If the lock arm is positioned lower to reduce the profile of the counterpart connector, then the connector profile is reduced, but the lock arm cannot elastically deform without contacting the main body
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm is nested within the housing structure itself, with the lock arm extending from the upper surface and the elastic deformation occurring within the internal space of the housing body. The bending space is effectively nested within the housing structure, allowing the lock arm to deform without external clearance while maintaining a compact profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing body is designed with localized structural features including a recessed portion and a protruding portion that create a specific deformation zone. The recessed portion forms an elastic deformation region where the lock arm can bend, while the protruding portion provides a stopper function. This local structural differentiation allows controlled elastic deformation in a compact space.
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
This design effectively lowers the height-wise position of the lock arm during fitting, achieving a lower profile for the connector and utilizing dead space for improved fitting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
when the lock arm comes into contact with the counterpart connector and elastically deforms downward in a course of fitting between the connector and the counterpart connector
Data Source
AI summary
A lock arm holds a connector and a counterpart connector in a fitted state. The lock arm extends from a main body part in the manner of a cantilever. The lock arm comes into contact with the counterpart connector and elastically deforms downward in the course of fitting. The lock arm has, on a lower surface, a reference surface that is disposed so as to extend from a base end side toward a free end side and a concave surface that is located above the reference surface via a step part on the free end side in a state where the lock arm is not elastically deformed. The main body part has an interference part that comes into contact with an end portion on the free end side including the concave surface displaced downward.