Electrical Connector Latch and Lock Claws for Half-Fitting Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connectors for vehicles cannot reliably detect a complete fitting state between the power receiving connector and the connector fitting portion, leading to potential battery charging in a half-fitting state, which compromises safety.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector with a fitting detecting mechanism that includes a latch claw and a lock claw, where the latch claw is positioned closer to the fitting direction than the lock claw, allowing for detection of the fitting state through the positional state of the lock release unit, preventing battery charging in a half-fitting state by ensuring complete connection before power is applied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a slide portion is provided to allow movement of the power feeding terminal, then the connector can accommodate expansion/contraction during sliding operation, but the system cannot detect whether complete fitting has been achieved, leading to potential charging in a half-fitting state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of expansion/contractionVSAvoiddetection of fitting state

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A detection member is introduced as an intermediary element between the connector fitting portion and the lock mechanism. This detection member translates the physical state of fitting into a detectable signal through the lock mechanism, enabling reliable detection of complete fitting while maintaining the slide portion's ability to accommodate expansion and contraction movements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the power feeding terminal is allowed to move to a fitting side through slide portion contraction, then connection can be established, but the system cannot prevent charging in a half-fitting state due to lack of fitting state detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidsafety against half-fitting charging

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism provides feedback about the fitting state by transitioning between locked and unlocked states based on the position of the detection member. This feedback mechanism ensures that charging is only permitted when complete fitting has been achieved, preventing unsafe charging in half-fitting states while maintaining ease of connection establishment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If a lock mechanism is added to prevent separation, then connection stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function and locking function are merged into a single integrated lock mechanism. The detection member and lock mechanism work together as a unified system where the same mechanical interaction that ensures stable connection also provides fitting state detection, thereby achieving connection stability without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2805386B1Electrical connector

Publication Date: 2016.06.29 YAZAKI CORP

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AI summary

An electrical connector (100) includes a lock claw (122) and a latch claw (132). The latch claw (132) is provided at a nearer side than the lock claw (122) in a fitting direction (FD) where a connector fitting portion (111) is fitted to a power receiving connector (10) and is provided with the lock claw (122) along the fitting direction (FD).