Connector Buckle Base Member Segmentation for Compact Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector buckles are bulky, difficult to assemble, and lack a small and simple structure, leading to reduced productivity and space utilization issues in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A connector buckle design featuring a metallic base member with slide grooves, a columnar latch member, a U-shaped unlocking member, a latch spring, an ejector, and an ejector spring, along with a cover member, where the base member is constructed as a thin sandwich structure of a bracket-shaped and flat-plate-shaped metal plates, facilitating easy assembly and engagement/disengagement of the tongue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional connector buckle structure is used, then the buckle can reliably engage and disengage the tongue, but the buckle becomes bulky and occupies excessive space in the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is divided into two separate plates (first plate and second plate) that are positioned face-to-face. The ejector is also segmented into multiple components including a body, arms, and claws. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the overall volume of the buckle while maintaining functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector components (arms and claws) are nested within the space between the first and second plates of the base member. The unlocking member is externally fitted over the base member, creating a compact nested arrangement where multiple functional elements occupy overlapping spatial zones, thereby reducing the overall buckle volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the base member is made thinner to reduce buckle size, then space utilization improves, but the base member becomes difficult to manufacture and may lack sufficient strength
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is segmented into two thin plates (first plate and second plate) that can be manufactured separately using standard sheet metal forming processes. This segmentation allows each plate to be made thinner and easier to manufacture while maintaining the required structural strength through the combined face-to-face arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member functions as a composite structure consisting of two metal plates positioned face-to-face with their respective slide grooves. This composite arrangement provides enhanced structural integrity and manufacturing feasibility compared to a single thick plate, as each thin plate can be manufactured independently with standard processes.
3Reliability
If the ejector is assembled diagonally to support the latch member, then the latch member can be properly supported, but the assembly process becomes complex and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of assembling the ejector diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner, the ejector arms are designed to be inserted separately from opposite sides of the base member. The claws at the ends of the arms engage with terminal ends of the side walls, allowing the ejector to be assembled in a straightforward linear manner rather than requiring complex diagonal positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector is segmented into a body and two arms that can be assembled independently. The arms with claws can be attached to the body separately and positioned symmetrically, simplifying the assembly process compared to a monolithic diagonal assembly approach. This segmentation allows for easier positioning and attachment of each component.
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 design results in a small, simple, and efficiently assembled connector buckle that enhances productivity and space utilization by reducing the thickness of the base member and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
The coil spring 145 is provided between the ejector 140 and the stopper member 150, and biased to push out the ejector 140 in a releasing direction E opposite to the inserting direction I of the tongue 101
Implementation Method 2
The leaf spring 135 is inserted between the base member 110 and the unlocking member 130, and biased to slide the unlocking member 130 in a first sliding direction X1 of the latch member 120
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle for a connector having a small simple structure and a favorable productivity, and a method for assembling the same. A buckle for connector of the present invention for supporting a tongue engageably/disengageably includes a base member, a latch member, an unlocking member, a latch spring, an ejector, an ejector spring, and cover members housing these members. The base member includes first and second plates. The ejector includes: two arms; a body section between the arms that includes a pushing/moving surface for the tongue to be pushed/moved by the tongue, a support section to support the latch member, and a pushing surface to be pushed by the ejector spring; and claws formed at ends of the arms and locked with an aperture at a terminal end of the base member, the terminal end being opposite to a starting end from which the tongue is inserted.