Electric Connector Latch Structure for Pivot Impact Load Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric connectors face high risk of pivot fracture due to unbalanced force distribution during impacts, as locking bars transfer all force to bearing pivots without additional support.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates latches with baffles that maintain proximity to platforms, distributing impact forces to both pivots and platforms through curved surfaces, reducing the stress on pivots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If locking bars are free from contact with housing portions, then the locking mechanism can rotate smoothly, but the force during impact is concentrated on bearing pivots causing high fracture risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the housing portion that contacts the locking bar) to distribute the impact force. The locking bar is designed to contact a specific portion of the housing during impact, acting as a mediator that transfers force from the locking bar to the housing structure, thereby distributing the load and reducing stress on the bearing pivots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the force transmission path by creating a dedicated contact portion on the housing that is separate from the bearing pivot structure. This segmentation allows the impact force to be transmitted through a different pathway (locking bar to housing contact portion) rather than directly through the bearing pivots, reducing the risk of pivot fracture.
2Reliability
If locking bars contact housing portions during impact, then force is distributed to reduce pivot stress, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific contact portion on the housing with particular geometric characteristics (curved surface, specific orientation) that is optimized for force distribution. Rather than redesigning the entire housing structure, only a localized portion is modified to provide the necessary contact surface, minimizing overall structural complexity while achieving force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the locking bar to avoid contact with the housing (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by intentionally designing the locking bar and housing to contact each other during impact. This inversion transforms the potential harmful contact into a beneficial force-distributing mechanism.
3Reliability
If latches maintain close proximity to platforms in all statuses, then impact force is evenly distributed, but the latch requires precise positioning control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an equipotential geometric relationship between the latch and platform by designing curved surfaces with matching radii. The fifth surface of the baffle and the curved surface of the platform are both circularly curved with the same radius, ensuring that the latch naturally maintains close proximity to the platform throughout its rotation range without requiring active positioning control or high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curvature by designing the fifth surface of the baffle and the curved surface of the platform as circular arcs with matching radii. This spherical geometry ensures that the latch follows a natural arc-shaped path that maintains consistent proximity to the platform, simplifying the positioning requirements and reducing the need for high manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric connector includes a housing, a fixing seat and at least one latch. The housing includes a body. The body defines a space therein and has two outer surfaces opposite to each other. Each of the first outer surfaces has a platform and at least one pivot formed thereon. The fixing seat is disposed in the space and configured to mount some electrical terminals. The latch is pivotally connected with the pivots and configured to rotate relative to the body from a locking status to a releasing status through an intermediate status. Each latch is in close proximity to the platforms in the locking status, the releasing status and the intermediate status, thereby an outer edge of the latch being in contact with the platforms when the latch is on impact.