Combined Connector Dovetail Layout for Perpendicular Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combined connectors with dovetail structures are limited by their orientation, making assembly and disassembly difficult in scenarios with restricted space, particularly when the assembly direction needs to be perpendicular to the mating direction.
Innovation Solution
A combined connector design featuring dovetail rail and socket portions that extend perpendicular to the mating direction, allowing sliding engagement and secure locking through stopper protrusions and tight fitting ribs, enabling assembly in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dovetail structure is oriented parallel to the mating direction, then the connector structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the assembly direction cannot be perpendicular to the mating direction, limiting adaptability in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The dovetail rail portion and dovetail socket portion are extended in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction, allowing combined connectors to be assembled in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction. This dimensional change enables the connector to adapt to confined spaces while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating housing is designed with both a dovetail rail portion and a dovetail socket portion, enabling the connector to function both as a male connector and a female connector. This multi-functionality increases adaptability in various assembly scenarios without requiring additional components
2Adaptability or versatility
If the dovetail rail portion and dovetail socket portion extend perpendicular to the mating direction, then assembly in perpendicular direction is enabled, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dovetail rail portion and dovetail socket portion are integrated into a single insulating housing structure, merging the functions of male and female connectors into one component. This reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device complexity while enabling perpendicular assembly capability
Data Source
AI summary
A combined connector is disclosed, which comprises an insulating housing, a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, the insulating housing including a mating portion mateable with a mating connector in a first direction, the insulating housing further including a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface opposite to each other in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, the insulating housing being formed with a dovetail rail portion on one of the first and second lateral surfaces and a dovetail socket portion on the other of the first and second lateral surfaces. The dovetail rail portion and the dovetail socket portion extend in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. Therefore, the combined connector can be slidably engaged with another combined connector in the third direction by means of the dovetail rail portion or the dovetail socket portion.