Electrical Connector Contact Lock Assembly Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors require contacts to be retained using a contact lock before connection, which complicates the assembly process and may lead to accidental separation of the contact lock during use.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector design featuring a contact cavity with a base plate and a contact lock that includes a securing element and a lug, allowing for easy assembly and secure retention of contacts, preventing accidental separation through a pre-locked and final locked position mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contacts are retained using a contact lock before connection, then contact retention is improved, but assembly process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact retentionVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact lock is pre-assembled with the connector housing, and the contacts are pre-retained in the contact lock before the connector is connected to the mating connector. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for separate contact retention steps during assembly, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable contact retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If contacts are retained using a contact lock, then contact security is improved, but accidental separation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact securityVSAvoidaccidental separation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact lock is nested within the connector housing, with the contacts retained inside the contact lock. The connector housing provides an outer protective structure that prevents accidental separation of the contact lock and contacts. This nested arrangement ensures that contacts are securely retained while being protected from external forces that could cause accidental separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If contact lock is used for contact retention, then contact fixing reliability is improved, but connector assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact fixing reliabilityVSAvoidconnector assembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The contact lock and contacts are pre-assembled as a integrated unit before connector assembly. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming contact retention operations during final connector assembly, reducing assembly time while maintaining reliable contact fixing through the pre-established contact lock structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9368897B2Electrical connector

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

An electrical connector is provided and includes a contact cavity, a contact receiving passageway, and a contact lock. The contact cavity includes a cavity body with a base plate provided at a longitudinal end of the cavity body and a lock receiving space provided on an opposite surface of the base plate. The contact receiving passageway extends through the cavity body and into an aperture of the base plate. The contact lock is fittable with the lock receiving space and includes a contact securing element and a lug provided on a side of the contact lock.