Connector Visual Engagement Verification via Flush Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors lack a straightforward method for visually confirming complete engagement between the outer and inner housings, making it difficult to determine if they are properly connected.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring an outer housing with a tubular inserting part and an inner housing with a projecting part that aligns flush with the outer housing's surface when fully engaged, allowing for visual verification of complete engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector includes an outer housing and an inner housing without visual indicators, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to determine whether they are completely engaged with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a visual indicator mechanism where the inner housing includes a positioning protrusion that interacts with a positioning groove in the outer housing. When completely engaged, the protrusion reaches the groove, creating a visible positional relationship that allows operators to confirm proper engagement without complex instrumentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning protrusion and positioning groove serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the inner and outer housings. These features provide a tangible, visible reference point that indicates the engagement state, transforming an internal mechanical relationship into an externally observable condition.
2Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to the connector housings, then engagement confirmation becomes easy, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing structural elements (protrusion and groove) to create visual indicators without adding separate components. The positioning features themselves become the indicators, leveraging their geometric relationship to provide visual feedback while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning protrusion and groove serve dual functions: they mechanically ensure proper alignment and engagement of the housings, while simultaneously serving as visual indicators of the engagement state. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate indicator components.
3Manufacturing precision
If the connector uses a simple housing structure without positioning features, then manufacturing is easier, but engagement precision and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies positioning protrusions and grooves at specific critical locations on the housings rather than requiring precision throughout the entire housing structure. This localized approach to precision features allows for easier manufacturing of the bulk housing material while ensuring accurate engagement at the critical interface points.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning features transform the engagement parameters from requiring overall housing precision to depending on the precise relationship between specific protrusion and groove elements. This parameter transformation allows the housing bodies to be manufactured with standard tolerances while achieving high engagement precision through the positioning mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes: an outer housing that includes an inserting part having a tubular shape, and is fixed to a first surface of a wall part in a state in which the inserting part is inserted into a hole part of the wall part; and an inner housing including a main body that is inserted into the hole part from a second surface side to be engaged with the outer housing, and a projecting part projecting from the main body. The projecting part projects from the main body toward a rear side in an insertion direction with respect to the hole part, and is configured such that a rear end surface of the projecting part is located to be flush with the second surface when the main body is completely engaged with the outer housing.