Connector Asymmetric Locking Strips Prevent Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors fail to prevent incorrect mounting of holders on the housing, leading to potential misalignment and improper connection due to lack of effective locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The connector design features elastically deformable locking strips on the holder that align with corresponding lock receiving parts on the housing only when the holder is in the correct posture, preventing incorrect mounting by ensuring proper alignment and allowing separation if the holder is misaligned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single locking strip is used to retain the holder on the housing, then the structure is simple, but the holder can be mounted in incorrect posture
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent locking strips (first locking strip and second locking strip) instead of using a single locking strip. Each locking strip independently engages with corresponding lock receiving parts on the housing, ensuring that the holder can only be properly retained when both locking strips are correctly positioned, thereby preventing incorrect mounting posture.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking strips are positioned asymmetrically with different longitudinal positions for their front ends. The first locking strip's front end is at a different longitudinal position than the second locking strip's front end. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that only when the holder is in the correct rotational orientation will both locking strips align properly with their respective lock receiving parts on the housing.
2Device complexity
If locking strips are positioned at the same longitudinal position, then the structure is symmetric and simple, but incorrect mounting cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The locking strips are deliberately positioned asymmetrically in the longitudinal direction. The first locking strip's front end is located at a different longitudinal position compared to the second locking strip's front end. This asymmetric positioning creates a unique geometric configuration that only matches the housing's lock receiving parts when the holder is correctly oriented, making incorrect mounting detectable through the mismatched positions.
3Ease of operation
If the holder can be freely inserted into the housing, then ease of installation is improved, but incorrect mounting posture may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The locking strips are designed with elastic properties, allowing them to dynamically adapt during the insertion process. When the holder is inserted into the housing, the locking strips can elastically deform to accommodate the insertion motion, then automatically snap into the locked position when properly aligned. This dynamic behavior maintains ease of installation while ensuring correct mounting posture through the elastic locking action.
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
Ensures correct mounting of the holder on the housing by allowing only proper alignment of locking strips with lock receiving parts, preventing incorrect posture and facilitating easy visual verification of correct installation.
Implementation Method 1
Both locking strips deform elastically outward. Both locking strips elastically return to their original states when the holder is mounted correctly on the connector so that the locks are fit on the corresponding lock receiving parts
Data Source
AI summary
Front ends of the locking strips (59) of the holder (50) are shifted from each other in a longitudinal direction thereof. Front ends of the locking part receiving parts (37) of a sub-housing (31) are located at different positions in a longitudinal direction thereof. When the holder (50) takes a normal mounting posture relative to the sub-housing (31), all of the locking parts (60) are fitted on the locking part receiving parts (37) corresponding thereto respectively after each of the locking strips (59) performs an elastic operation. Thereby the holder (50) is held by the sub-housing (31). When the holder (50) takes an incorrect mounting posture relative to the sub-housing (31), at least one of the locking parts (60) cannot be fitted on the locking part receiving parts (37) corresponding thereto. Thereby the holder (50) is separable from the sub-housing (31).