Connector Cover Retention via Segmented Locking and Flexible Sidewalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face issues where the cover can come off during removal operations, and there is an increased assembly force required for the housing and cover, which needs to be addressed while maintaining the connector in a secure assembled state.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a flexible cover with orthogonal sidewalls, a main locking structure, and an auxiliary locking structure that includes flexible first and second cover sidewalls, and locking bodies to prevent cover detachment during removal while minimizing assembly force, utilizing a guide structure and locking release mechanism to maintain the connector's assembled state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking structure is added to prevent cover detachment during removal operation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is divided into multiple independent locking protrusions and locking grooves distributed at different positions on the cover and housing. This segmentation allows the locking function to be distributed across multiple simple mechanical features rather than requiring a single complex locking mechanism, thereby improving reliability through redundancy while keeping individual components simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional active locking mechanism that requires positive action to engage, the design uses passive locking protrusions that automatically engage with locking grooves during assembly. The locking action occurs naturally as the cover is placed on the housing, eliminating the need for separate locking operations or complex actuating mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cover is made rigid to prevent deformation during assembly, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with flexible sidewalls that can dynamically deform during the assembly process to accommodate variations in housing dimensions and assembly tolerances. This flexibility allows the cover to adapt to slight dimensional variations without requiring high-precision manufacturing, while the rigid base portion maintains sufficient dimensional stability for the locking features to engage properly.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the cover are selected to provide optimal flexibility in the sidewall regions while maintaining rigidity in the base portion. This parameter change allows different regions of the same component to have different mechanical properties, enabling the sidewalls to deform during assembly while the base maintains precise positioning for the locking protrusions and grooves.
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 effectively prevents cover detachment during removal operations while reducing the assembly force required for the housing and cover, ensuring the connector remains securely assembled even under applied forces.
Implementation Method 1
a first cover sidewall and a second cover sidewall having flexibility, the first cover sidewall and the second cover sidewall being opposingly disposed with a space provided from each other and being joined, respectively, to both ends of the cover main wall in an orthogonal state
Data Source
AI summary
In a connector, a main locking structure and an auxiliary locking structure are provided between a housing and a cover for maintaining the housing and the cover in a completely assembled state by locking the move of the cover in the connector removal direction with respect to the housing. The main locking structure includes: a first main locking body provided to a first housing sidewall and a second housing sidewall; and a second main locking body provided to a first cover sidewall and a second cover sidewall and engaged with the first main locking body. The auxiliary locking structure includes: a first auxiliary locking body provided to the first housing sidewall and the second housing sidewall; and a second auxiliary locking body provided to the first cover sidewall and the second cover sidewall on a second opening side than the second main locking body is.