Electrical Connector CPA Member Flexible Locking Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lever-type electrical connectors face issues with accidental locking of the CPA member in the inoperative position and equal actuating forces required for locking and unlocking, which can lead to unintended blockages and incorrect positioning.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a flexible locking arm with distinct threshold forces for different positions, along with a lever pocket to relax the locking arms and a design that ensures the CPA member can be easily locked in the correct position while preventing accidental unlocking, utilizing a blocking and locking ramp mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CPA member is made slideably arrange on the housing for locking the mate assist lever, then the connector can be locked in the closed position, but the CPA member may accidentally slide into the locked position when the connector is in the inoperative condition, blocking the mate assist lever actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking ramp on the flexible locking arm proactively prevents the CPA member from sliding into the locked position when the mate assist lever is in the open position. The blocking ramp engages with the housing to create a mechanical barrier that opposes accidental locking attempts, applying counter-action in advance to prevent the harmful effect of unintended blocking
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible locking arm changes its geometric configuration based on the position of the mate assist lever. When the lever moves from open to closed position, the flexible locking arm bends to transition the blocking ramp from a blocking configuration to a non-blocking configuration, allowing the CPA member to be properly locked only when intended
2Ease of operation
If the locking force needed to slide the CPA member from inoperative to locked position is equal to the unlock force, then the mechanism is simple, but the user cannot easily lock the CPA member when the mate assist lever is in the correct closed position while preventing easy unlocking when locked
Solution Approach 1:
The interaction between the flexible locking arm and the housing creates asymmetric force requirements. The blocking ramp and housing geometry are designed so that when the mate assist lever is in the closed position, the flexible locking arm is positioned to facilitate easy sliding of the CPA member into the locked position with low force. Conversely, when locked, the same asymmetric geometry requires significantly higher force to overcome the blocking ramp and unlock the CPA member
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible locking arm is designed to dynamically change its position and orientation based on the mate assist lever position. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to provide different force characteristics: low locking force when the lever is closed and high unlocking force when locked, transforming the static equal-force mechanism into a dynamic conditional-force mechanism
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
This design allows for a low actuation force when the connector is correctly locked, preventing accidental unlocking and ensuring the CPA member can be easily locked when the mate assist lever is in the correct position, thus enhancing the operational reliability and longevity of the connector.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible locking arm (32) which is bendable between a bended position and a rest position
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connector comprising a cover, a mating assist lever pivotally mounted to the cover for being pivotable between an open position and a closed position and a connector positioning assurance (CPA) member slideably mounted to the cover for being slideable between an inoperative position and a locked position. The CPA member comprises a flexible locking arm being bendable between a bended position and a rest position. The flexible locking arm comprises a blocking ramp for cooperating with a blocking shoulder on the cover and a locking ramp for cooperating with the locking shoulder on the mate assist lever.