Charging Connector Lock Lever for Stable Switch Release Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging connectors fail to maintain the switch state in a released condition until the mating process is completed, and the switch state can be inadvertently changed when the operation portion is operated during a locked state due to play in the lock lever movement.
Innovation Solution
A charging connector design incorporating a switch mechanism, temporary maintenance mechanism, and cooperation portion that maintains the switch in an initial position until the latch is moved beyond the play of the lock lever, and changes the switch state only when the latch is fully engaged or disengaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switch is arranged in the vicinity of the rotation shaft of the lock lever to satisfy the first requirement, then the switch state is not changed during locked operation, but the switch cannot maintain the released state until mating is completed
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated maintenance mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the lock lever and the switch. This mechanism includes a maintenance lever that is driven by the lock lever's movement and acts upon the switch to hold it in the released state, thereby resolving the contradiction between switch stability during locked operation and switch state maintenance until mating completion
2Ease of operation
If the switch is arranged apart from the rotation shaft to satisfy the second requirement, then the switch maintains the released state until mating is completed, but the switch state changes when the lock lever moves within the play range
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into functionally independent components: the lock lever for locking/unlocking operations, the maintenance lever for switch state maintenance, and the switch for state detection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between switch state maintenance and switch state stability
3Device complexity
If a typical small switch is used in the charging connector, then the device complexity is reduced, but both the first and second requirements cannot be met simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance function is merged with the existing lock lever mechanism by using the lock lever's movement to drive the maintenance lever, which in turn acts on the switch. This merging approach adds minimal complexity while ensuring both requirements are met, as the maintenance mechanism utilizes the inherent movement of the lock lever without requiring a completely separate control system
Data Source
AI summary
A charging connector comprises a lock lever having a latch, a cooperation portion, a switch mechanism and a temporary maintenance mechanism. The latch is movable between an engageable position and a released potion via a predetermined position. The switch mechanism is located at an initial position when the latch is located at the engageable position. The switch mechanism includes a pressed portion. The temporary maintenance mechanism temporarily maintains the switch mechanism at the initial position when the latch is located between the engageable position and the predetermined position. When the latch is located between the predetermined position and the released position, the cooperation portion presses the pressed portion of the switch mechanism to move the switch mechanism from the initial position against the temporary maintenance mechanism and thereby changes a state of the switch body from the initial state to a released state.