Connector Assembly Position Assurance Slider Stress Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies face challenges in preventing damage to the position assurance member (CPA) and easily releasing the bound CPA, particularly when a rotation lever is mounted, as they are prone to stress and potential breakage due to assembly tolerance gaps.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design featuring a base connector with a locking protrusion, a main lever with a locking lever that engages with the protrusion, and a position assurance slider that slides with the locking lever to prevent separation and absorb stress, reducing damage by incorporating an elastic member and a housing structure that accommodates the slider for controlled engagement and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotation lever is mounted on the connector, then the connector can be easily operated for engagement and disengagement, but the position assurance member (CPA) is prone to stress and potential breakage due to assembly tolerance gaps
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer member is introduced as an intermediary element between the position assurance member and the locking lever. This buffer member absorbs assembly tolerance gaps and prevents direct transmission of stress to the CPA, thereby protecting it from breakage while maintaining the operational functionality of the rotation lever
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member is pre-installed in the locking lever to provide cushioning protection before any stress is applied to the position assurance member. This beforehand cushioning prevents damage by absorbing shocks and tolerance variations during the engagement and disengagement operations
2Reliability
If the position assurance member is tightly bound to prevent separation, then connection reliability is improved, but the member becomes difficult to release
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed with rotational movement capability, allowing it to dynamically transition between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic mechanism enables the locking lever to maintain tight binding for connection reliability while allowing easy release through rotational motion
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member acts as a mediator that allows controlled movement between the locking lever and position assurance member. This enables the system to maintain stable connection when locked while facilitating easy release when the lever is rotated, without requiring excessive force
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 proposed design effectively reduces damage to the position assurance slider by distributing stress and preventing separation of the locking lever from the locking protrusion, thereby enhancing the connector's reliability and durability through controlled engagement and release mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating an elastic member and a housing structure that accommodates the slider for controlled engagement and release
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a base connector having a locking protrusion formed on an outer circumferential surface, a body connector capable of being inserted into the base connector, a main lever configured to be rotatably coupled to the body connector, a locking lever formed on the main lever and capable of engaging with the locking protrusion, and a position assurance slider disposed to engage with the locking lever to be slidable with respect to the locking lever and capable of preventing separation of the locking lever engaged with the locking protrusion.