Connector Preventing Cable Pull-Out via Pressing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors fail to securely prevent sheet-like objects, such as Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs) or Flexible Flat Cables (FFCs), from being pulled out horizontally, as they rely on locking mechanisms that can be opened by applying forces to move locking pieces upward.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a pressing member that moves between open and close positions, with a receiving portion positioned forward of the object and a regulated portion positioned rearward, preventing forward and horizontal movement by abutting with the receiving portion when the object is pulled, thus securing the object in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with locking pieces is used to prevent cable removal, then vertical pull-out is prevented, but horizontal pull-out can still open the lock portion
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into functional zones: the receiving portion for vertical insertion/removal prevention, and the regulated portion for horizontal movement control. This segmentation allows each portion to address specific directional forces independently, solving the contradiction by making the connector simultaneously resistant to both vertical and horizontal pull-out forces through specialized structural elements in each zone
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the limitation of the locking mechanism by adding a new dimensional constraint. While the locking pieces operate in the vertical dimension, the regulated portion extends in the horizontal dimension to prevent lateral movement. This dimensional expansion transforms the single-axis locking mechanism into a multi-axis constraint system, preventing accidental disconnection from any direction
2Reliability
If the pressing member is positioned at the close position to secure the object, then the object is prevented from being pulled out, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides the receiving portion for vertical insertion control, the regulated portion for horizontal movement regulation, and the pressing action to secure the object. By merging these functions into one integrated component rather than separate elements, the design achieves high connection security without proportionally increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a positioning element, a securing mechanism, and a movement regulator. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining comprehensive connection security, thereby achieving high reliability without excessive structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is connectable with a sheet-like object having a received portion. The connector comprises a terminal, a holding member and a pressing member. The holding member holds the terminal. The holding member has a regulating portion. The pressing member is supported by at least one of the terminal and the holding member so as to be movable. The pressing member is movable between an open position and a close position and is movable to the close position by being turned forward in a front-rear direction from the open position. The pressing member is provided with a receiving portion and a regulated portion. The receiving portion is positioned forward of the received portion of the object in the front-rear direction when the object is connected with the connector while the pressing member is positioned at the close position. When the pressing member is positioned at the close position, the regulated portion is positioned rearward of the regulating portion in the front-rear direction so that the regulating portion regulates forward movement of the regulated portion.