Connector Cover Retention via Outer Shell and Plate-Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies are prone to cover disengagement when exposed to external forces such as water flow, as the cover's outer face and engaging hole can deform, causing the cover to disengage from the connector.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design featuring a hood portion with a slit and a plate-spring portion that engages with the housing to prevent disengagement, combined with an outer shell portion that covers the hood portion, ensuring the cover remains securely attached even when subjected to external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cover is designed to be simple and lightweight, then ease of manufacture and installation are improved, but the cover becomes susceptible to deformation from external forces like water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into an outer shell portion and an inner shell portion, with the cover positioned between them. This segmentation allows the outer shell to bear the brunt of external forces while the cover maintains its primary function of guiding the cable, reducing the cover's structural burden and deformation risk
Solution Approach 2:
The outer shell portion acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the cover. It absorbs and distributes external forces (such as water flow) before they reach the cover, protecting the cover from direct impact and preventing deformation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cover is exposed to external forces like water flow, then the cover can perform its cable guiding function, but the cover may deform and disengage from the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-spring portion is pre-configured with elastic properties to counteract external forces before they can cause disengagement. When external forces act on the cover, the plate-spring portion's elastic deformation absorbs the impact and maintains the covering state, preventing disengagement
Solution Approach 2:
The plate-spring portion introduces dynamic elasticity to the cover-connector connection. Instead of a rigid fixed state, the connection can dynamically adjust through elastic deformation, allowing the cover to maintain engagement while accommodating external forces and deformation
3Device complexity
If the cover structure is simplified without additional protective components, then device complexity is reduced, but the cover becomes vulnerable to disengagement under external force
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-spring portion is integrated directly into the cover as a unified structure rather than being a separate component. This merging maintains simplicity in the overall structure while incorporating the protective function of elastic retention, preventing disengagement without adding complex separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the cover are changed to include elastic characteristics through the plate-spring portion. This parameter change allows the cover to deform elastically under external forces and return to its original state, maintaining engagement with the connector while preserving structural simplicity
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 disengagement from the connector by distributing external forces and maintaining the cover's attachment, ensuring reliable operation under conditions like water exposure.
Implementation Method 1
The plate-spring portion may have a linking portion linked with the hood portion and an engaging portion that engages the engaged portion. The spring portion may be formed as a cantilever extending from the linking portion in the removing direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly may have a cover installed to a connector for curving a cable extending from a lead-out portion of a housing in a direction different from a lead-out direction of the cable. The cover may have a hood portion that covers the lead-out portion of the housing and a slit that is formed in the hood portion and where through the cable is inserted. The housing may have an outer shell portion that is disposed on an outer side of the hood portion of the cover and covers at least a portion of the hood portion.