Connector Detector Synchronizes Mechanical and Electrical Connection Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors require separate detection mechanisms for mechanical and electrical connection, leading to uncertainty in judging proper connection status and necessitating reconfirmation, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a movable detector with a releasing portion that simultaneously performs electrical connection detection and mechanical connection detection, ensuring synchronized detection and enhanced reliability through a simple frame structure and biasing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate detection mechanisms are used for mechanical and electrical connection, then each detection function can be independently implemented, but the judgment of proper connection status becomes uncertain and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The detector integrates both mechanical detection (via slider movement to front position) and electrical detection (via shorting terminal contact pieces) into a single unified component. This merging allows both detection functions to occur simultaneously during one operation, eliminating the time delay between separate detections and providing conclusive connection status information in a single action.
2Ease of operation
If separate detection mechanisms are used for mechanical and electrical connection, then each function can be independently implemented, but reconfirmation operations are necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The detector combines mechanical slider movement and electrical contact piece deflection into a single integrated mechanism. The slider's movement to the front position simultaneously triggers both mechanical position detection and electrical shorting terminal release, providing comprehensive connection confirmation in one operation without requiring separate verification steps.
3Measurement precision
If the detector moves independently without synchronized electrical detection, then mechanical detection is simple, but electrical and mechanical detection timings do not match
Solution Approach 1:
The detector structure inherently synchronizes mechanical and electrical detection through the coupled movement of the slider and contact pieces. As the slider moves to the front position, the contact pieces simultaneously deflect to release the shorting terminal, ensuring both detection events occur at the exact same moment without requiring external synchronization mechanisms.
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
Facilitates easy and reliable connection detection by matching electrical and mechanical detection timings, ensuring accurate assessment of connector status without the need for reconfirmation.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member assembled with the second housing, and the biasing member accumulates a biasing force by being pressed by the detector moving from the standby position to the detection position
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is provided with a first housing and a second housing connectable to each other, a detector arranged movably to a standby position and a detection position with respect to the first housing, a pair of second terminal fittings arranged in the second housing, and a shorting terminal arranged in the second housing to short-circuit the pair of second terminal fittings. The detector includes a releasing portion for releasing a short-circuit state of the pair of second terminal fittings by the shorting terminal as the detector reaches the detection position from the standby position.