Electrical Connector Lever Release via Guide Element Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical plug-in connectors lack secure and precise mechanisms for releasing the lever from a blocked pre-assembly position to an end position, often requiring additional actuating elements and resulting in inaccurate alignment and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a guide element that serves both as a guide and an actuator for the blocking element, allowing precise release of the lever by deflecting it into a release position when the casings are correctly aligned, eliminating the need for separate actuating elements and reducing mechanical stress through inclined surfaces and recesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate actuating element is provided to release the blocking element, then the lever can be released from the pre-assembly position, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is designed to perform dual functions: it guides the second casing during insertion and simultaneously acts as the actuating element that deflects the blocking element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate actuating elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining the lever release mechanism's operability.
2Reliability
If the blocking element is held firmly in the blocked position, then secure blocking of the lever is achieved, but high mechanical stress is required to release it
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is designed as a flexible component that can dynamically change its position between a blocked state (protruding into the insertion space) and a released state (deflected by the guide element). This flexibility allows the element to provide strong blocking force when needed while requiring minimal force to transition to the released state, resolving the contradiction between blocking security and release force.
3Measurement precision
If the guide element is used solely for guiding the second casing, then the guideway structure is simple, but the lever cannot be precisely released
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element serves dual purposes: it provides precise guidance for the second casing during insertion and simultaneously functions as the actuating mechanism for releasing the blocking element. The guideway is designed with specific geometric features that enable both functions, allowing the guide element to interact with the blocking element at a precise location to ensure accurate lever release when the casings are properly aligned.
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
This solution ensures secure and accurate alignment of the casings, allowing the lever to be released only when properly positioned, reducing mechanical stress and simplifying the connector's construction while maintaining secure locking in the end position.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible blocking element is formed as part of a casing wall of the casing
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical plug-in connector with a casing, with a lever rotatably mounted on the casing, the lever having a guideway, the guideway being provided for guiding a guide element of a second casing, with the guide element being guided in the guideway upon rotation of the lever and the second casing being pulled from a pre-assembly position with regard to the casing into an end position, the casing having a flexible blocking element, an insertion space for introducing the guide element into the guideway being provided, the blocking element having an actuating surface, the actuating surface in a rest position of the blocking element projecting into the insertion space, the lever having a blocking surface, the blocking element having a second blocking surface, with, in a rest position of the lever and in a rest position of the blocking element, the second blocking surface of the blocking element being associated with the blocking surface of the lever and blocking a movement of the lever from the rest position into an end position, the blocking element being formed such that the guide element upon introduction of the second casing into a pre-assembly position in relation to the casing being guided via the insertion space into the guideway and in so doing the guide element acting on the actuating surface such that the blocking element is moved into a release position, so that the position of the second blocking surface of the blocking element relative to the blocking surface of the lever is changed such that the lever is released for a movement into the end position.