Connector Housing Assembly With Idler Mating Aid for Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges in handling due to internal resistance forces, which are exacerbated when multiple connections are made close together, leading to cumbersome operation and potential interference between mating aid mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A housing assembly for electrical connectors featuring a drive element and a rotatable transmission element that transfers movement to the mating connector, allowing the drive element to be positioned further away and reversing the movement direction to prevent interference, thus improving accessibility and reducing the required mating force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the drive element is positioned close to the mating connector to directly engage with it, then the mating force can be effectively applied, but the accessibility for the operator becomes difficult and interference with other mating aid mechanisms occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A transmission element is introduced as an intermediary between the drive element and the mating connector. The transmission element transfers the movement from the drive element to the mating connector, enabling the drive element to be positioned at a distance from the mating connector while still effectively engaging it. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the drive element to be accessible to the operator while maintaining effective force transmission.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple electrical connectors are positioned close to each other, then space is utilized efficiently, but the mating aid mechanisms mutually interfere and handling becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission element changes the dimensional relationship between the drive element and the mating connector by introducing a rotational movement component. This allows the drive element to operate in a different spatial dimension (rotational plane) while the mating connector moves in the mating direction, enabling closer positioning of multiple connectors without interference between their mating aid mechanisms.
3Force
If the drive element is made larger to improve engagement, then the mating force application is improved, but the device dimensions increase and accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission element acts as a mechanical amplifier that converts the movement of a compact drive element into effective engagement force on the mating connector. This intermediary mechanism allows a smaller drive element to achieve the same engagement effectiveness as a larger direct-engagement drive element, resolving the contradiction between size and force application.
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 configuration enhances the handling of electrical connectors by reducing the need for increased drive element size, allowing for easier operation in constrained environments and preventing interference between adjacent connectors, thereby improving the overall handling and usability of electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one transmission element is configured to be brought into engagement with the mating connector... the at least one transmission element can transfer the movement of the drive element onto the mating connector
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a housing assembly (1) for an electrical connector (2) that is intermateable with a mating connector (6), wherein the housing assembly (1) comprises a connector housing (10) and a mating aid mechanism (12) for assisting a mating process between the electrical connector (2) and the mating connector (6), wherein the mating aid mechanism (12) comprises a drive element (14) movably arranged on the connector housing (10), and at least one transmission element (16) rotatably arranged on the connector housing (10) and engaged with the drive element (14), wherein the drive element (14) is configured to be manually operated, and wherein the at least one transmission element (16) is configured to be brought into engagement with the mating connector (6). The at least one transmission element (16) can function according to the principle of an idler, effectively reversing the movement direction (102) of the drive element (14) compared to the movement direction of a comparative drive element directly engaging with the mating connector (6). This is useful in situations, where the original movement direction of the comparative drive element would be obstructed by environmental constrains. Further, the present invention relates to an electrical connector (2) with such a housing assembly (1). Moreover, the present invention relates to a connector assembly (4) comprising such an electrical connector (2) and a mating connector (6) as well as to a set (5) comprising such a connector assembly (4) and a replacement connector (96).