Connector Guide Frame Stopping Block Prevents Incorrect Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connection devices lack a mechanism to prevent incorrect insertion of plug connectors, leading to potential damage and operational failures when users mistakenly insert them.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connection device incorporates a guide frame with a female latch unit and a stopping block, along with a male latch unit featuring a resilient arm and protection blocks, which create a mating space that allows correct insertion while blocking incorrect insertion attempts, ensuring proper alignment and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no prevention mechanism is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but incorrect insertion can occur causing damage and operational failure
Solution Approach 1:
The guide frame acts as an intermediary component between the plug connector and receptacle connector. It includes a female latch unit with a guide groove that guides the male latch unit's latching block during insertion, ensuring correct alignment. The stopping block serves as a mechanical intermediary that physically blocks incorrect insertion paths, preventing mismatched connections before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide frame performs preliminary alignment and validation actions before the actual electrical connection is established. The guide groove预先 (in advance) guides the latching block along the correct insertion path, and the stopping block预先 (in advance) blocks incorrect paths. This preliminary guidance and validation prevent incorrect connections from occurring in the first place.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a guide frame with stopping block is added, then incorrect insertion is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide frame utilizes asymmetric geometry to prevent incorrect insertion. The guide groove has a specific asymmetric shape that only matches the latching block when inserted correctly. The stopping block is positioned asymmetrically to block incorrect insertion paths while allowing correct insertion. This asymmetric design provides passive, automatic prevention without requiring additional active components.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide frame is segmented into distinct functional components: the frame body, the female latch unit with guide groove, and the stopping block. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a system. The stopping block is a separate element that can be independently positioned to block incorrect paths without interfering with correct insertion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the male latch unit contacts the stopping block during incorrect insertion, then insertion is blocked, but the resilient arm may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove acts as a cushioning and guiding mechanism before the latching block reaches the stopping block. During incorrect insertion, the guide groove guides the latching block in a controlled manner, reducing impact forces. The resilient arm's inherent elasticity provides additional cushioning, allowing it to flex and return to its original position without permanent damage when encountering the stopping block.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arm is designed to be dynamic and flexible rather than rigid. It can elastically deform when contacting the stopping block during incorrect insertion, absorbing impact energy and returning to its original position. This dynamic behavior prevents permanent damage while still effectively blocking incorrect insertion through the stopping block.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connection device comprises a receptacle connector which comprises a first insulative housing, a guide frame and a plug connector which comprises a second insulative housing. The first insulative housing has a mounting portion and a mating portion protruding from the mounting portion. The guide frame is assembled with the receptacle connector, and comprises a frame body, a female latch unit and a stopping block. The frame body is assembled to the mounting portion of the first insulative housing and has an opening to allow the mating portion to pass through. The female latch unit and the stopping block protrude from the frame body respectively and are positioned at opposite two sides and spaced apart from the mating portion to together define a mating space. The second insulative housing has a housing body and a male latch unit formed at one side of the housing body and engaged with the female latch unit. When the plug connector is incorrectly inserted, the plug connector cannot enter into the mating space to mate with the receptacle connector due to blocking from the stopping block of the guide frame.