Electrical Connector Locking Arm With Flexible Link for Hinge Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors with tortional hinges are prone to mechanical fatigue and breakage, especially under high temperature conditions, and require increased finger actuation force for locking and unlocking.
Innovation Solution
The connector design replaces tortional hinges with a flexible linking member, allowing the locking arm to pivot between lock and release positions without material stress, and is suitable for high temperature applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tortional hinges are used to allow locking arm movement, then the locking arm can pivot between lock and release positions, but the tortional hinges are prone to mechanical fatigue and breakage under repeated torsion and high temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tortional hinges from the connector structure entirely. Instead of modifying existing hinges to improve durability, the design extracts the problematic rotational joint concept and replaces it with a linearly movable locking arm that slides between locked and released positions without requiring repeated twisting motions, thereby eliminating the mechanical fatigue issue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical tortional hinge system with a different mechanical approach using a locking arm that moves linearly along the connector body. This replacement eliminates the torsional stress concentration points inherent in hinges while maintaining the essential function of enabling locking arm movement between positions
2Reliability
If the tortional hinges are enlarged to improve mechanical durability, then the durability increases, but the stiffness of the tortional hinges increases and impairs the movement of the locking arm
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than attempting to optimize the tortional hinge dimensions to balance durability and movement ease, the patent extracts the hinge mechanism entirely from the design. The locking arm movement function is achieved through a different mechanical configuration that does not involve rotational joints, thereby avoiding the inherent trade-off between hinge strength and movement smoothness
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the locking arm rotation more robust through larger hinges, the patent inverts the approach by making the locking arm movement linear rather than rotational. This fundamental design inversion eliminates the need for hinges altogether, transforming the movement mechanism from a joint-based system to a slide-based system
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 flexible linking member provides a reliable and secure locking mechanism with reduced material fatigue, allowing for the use of advanced materials like fiberglass and requiring less finger actuation force for operation.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible linking member allows the locking arm to pivot between a lock position and a release position without material stress
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a connector, particularly to an electrical connector. The connector comprises a housing and a locking arm adapted for locking the connector to a corresponding counter connector. The locking arm is pivotable between a lock position and a release position. The connector further comprises a linking member linking the locking arm to the housing.