Connector Guide Grooves for Assembly Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector designs face poor workability in assembling the connection detecting member due to the lack of a guide for inserting the member into recesses, making it difficult to align protrusions with recesses in the connector housing.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a housing featuring flexible arms and guide grooves that allow the connection detecting member to be displaced from a pre-assembling position to a connection assurance release position, improving alignment and assembly by using first and second guide grooves for smooth sliding and deflection of the arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the connection detecting member is mounted directly at the connection assurance release position, then the structure is simple, but the assembling workability is poor due to difficulty in aligning protrusions with recesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-assembling position that allows the connection detecting member to be initially mounted in a more accessible location before being moved to the final connection assurance release position. This preliminary mounting position enables easier alignment of protrusions with recesses, improving assembling workability while maintaining the original structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide grooves as intermediary elements that facilitate the movement and alignment of the connection detecting member from the pre-assembling position to the connection assurance release position. These guide grooves act as mediators that enable smooth transition and proper alignment without requiring complex alignment mechanisms
2Manufacturing precision
If guide grooves are added to guide the connection detecting member, then the alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the guide structure into separate guide grooves that are integrated into the housing, rather than using a single complex guiding mechanism. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing and assembly while providing effective alignment guidance for the connection detecting member
Solution Approach 2:
The guide grooves are merged with the housing structure itself, eliminating the need for separate guiding components. This integration maintains manufacturing precision while avoiding additional complexity, as the guiding function is combined with the existing housing structure
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
Enhances the assembling workability of the connection detecting member by ensuring reliable mounting and reducing rattling through contact surfaces, allowing for proper alignment and secure positioning.
Implementation Method 1
Two flexible arm are provided on both sides of the connection detecting member... The arms are deflected by pushing the connection detecting member, and the connection detecting member is displaced to the connection assurance release position
Data Source
AI summary
A connector (10) includes a housing (20) and a connection detecting member (60) that is displaceable between a connection assurance position and a connection assurance release position. The connection detecting member (60) is mountable on the housing (20) and pushed from a pre-assembling position to the connection assurance release position. First arms (74) are on sides of the connection detecting member (60). Two first guide grooves (44) and two second guide grooves (48) are in the side walls (42) of the housing (20) and extend along a sliding direction of the connection detecting member. First claws (76) of the first arms (74) are in the first guide grooves (44) at the connection assurance position and the connection assurance release position, and are in the second guide grooves (48) at the pre-assembling position. The first arms (74) deflect by pushing the connection detecting member (60) to the connection assurance release position.