Electrical Connector Assembly With Dual-Side Locking Against Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies have a single-side locking design with weak retention force, leading to loosening or tilting under external forces, affecting data transmission stability.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector and mating connector design includes extension protrusions and slots for secure engagement, with locking protrusions and grooves on both sides to enhance retention force and prevent tilting, ensuring stable data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-side locking design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the retention force between connectors becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent locking pieces (first locking piece and second locking piece) positioned at different sides of the insulating body. Each locking piece independently engages with the mating connector to provide distributed retention force, resolving the contradiction by increasing strength through structural segmentation rather than through complexity of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple locking pieces are combined to work simultaneously, creating a multi-point locking system. The first locking piece and second locking piece both engage with the mating connector at the same time, merging their retention effects to achieve strong overall retention force while maintaining simple individual component designs.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single-side locking design is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the connector becomes prone to loosening or tilting under external force
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented across multiple locking pieces positioned at different locations on the insulating body. This segmentation provides redundant locking points that prevent loosening and tilting under external forces, improving reliability without requiring complex individual components that would increase manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a single-side (one-dimensional) design to a multi-side (two-dimensional or three-dimensional) distribution of locking pieces. This spatial dimensionality change provides stability against external forces from multiple directions, preventing loosening and tilting while maintaining simple, manufacturable components.
3Strength
If extension protrusions and slots are added for secure engagement, then the retention force is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is segmented into multiple discrete extension protrusions and corresponding slots distributed on different sides of the insulating body. Each protrusion-slot pair provides localized secure engagement, and the segmentation allows for simple, modular manufacturing while collectively achieving strong retention force without complex integrated structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulating body and a number of conductive terminals. The insulating body includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The first extension portion includes a first extension protrusion, a second extension protrusion and a first slot. The second extension portion includes a third extension protrusion, a fourth extension protrusion and a second slot. The first extension protrusion, the second extension protrusion, the third extension protrusion and the fourth extension protrusion are configured to be inserted into a mating connector. The first slot and the second slot are configured to snap with the mating connector. The mating connector includes a first accommodating sub-groove, a second accommodating sub-groove, a third accommodating sub-groove and a fourth accommodating sub-groove configured to lock with the electrical connector. An electrical connector assembly is also disclosed.