Electrical Connector Detection Member for Fitting Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors with outer and inner housings lack a straightforward method to determine if they are completely fitted, which can lead to unreliable electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a tubular outer housing with protrusions, a flexible locking arm on the inner housing, and a detection member with a lock arm and protrusion that changes state when fully fitted, allowing easy separation and indicating complete fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a connector has an outer housing and an inner housing with locking arms, then the connection strength is improved, but it becomes difficult to determine whether the housings have been completely fitted
Solution Approach 1:
A detection member is introduced as an intermediary element between the locking arm and the outer housing. This detection member includes a lock arm with a protrusion that interacts with the outer-side protrusion, serving as a mediator to transmit and indicate the fitting state from the inner housing to the user or detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection member utilizes positional changes (analogous to color changes in visual indication) where the detection member moves from a restricted position to a separable position, indicating the transition from incomplete to complete fitting state. This positional change serves as a clear visual or tactile signal of proper assembly.
2Reliability
If the detection member is restricted from separation in the assembled state, then the reliability of fitting detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection member transitions from a static restricted state to a dynamic separable state based on the fitting condition. When the inner housing is completely fitted, the detection member becomes separable from the outer housing, providing a clear indication of proper assembly without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection member automatically indicates the fitting state through its own positional change or separability, without requiring external detection systems or complex mechanisms. The system uses its own components (detection member, locking arm, outer-side protrusion) to self-indicate the assembly status.
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
Enables easy determination of complete fitting, improving the reliability of electrical connections by ensuring accurate alignment and engagement of the outer and inner housings.
Implementation Method 1
the locking arm moves in the insertion direction while being elastically deformed, and elastically returns after getting over the outer-side protrusion to press the member-side protrusion outward the inner housing accommodating space
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes an outer housing, an inner housing fitted to the outer housing, and a detection member assembled to the outer housing and restricted from being separated in a removal direction. The detection member has a flexible lock arm and a member-side protrusion formed on a free end side of the lock arm and facing an outer-side protrusion in the removal direction in an assembled state. When a locking arm gets over the outer-side protrusion and is locked to the outer-side protrusion, the locking arm moves in an insertion direction while being elastically deformed, and elastically returns after getting over the outer-side protrusion to press the member-side protrusion outward an inner housing accommodating space, so that the lock arm allows the outer-side protrusion and the member-side protrusion to be in a non-facing state in the insertion/removal direction, and allows the detection member to be separated in the removal direction.