Connector Latch Metal Elastic Locking Vibration Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors in harsh environments, such as near power sources in vehicles, face durability issues due to high-acceleration vibration, leading to mechanical resonance and increased component complexity when using leader cables to mitigate vibration effects.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a female-type housing with a groove and a latch metal that projects elastically to lock with a male-type housing, ensuring stable electrical continuity despite dimensional deviations and vibration, reducing the need for multiple connection processes and component complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a leader cable is used to lead out the electrical connector to a place with less vibration effect, then the electrical connector can be operated in a lower vibration environment, but the number of components increases and spaces are produced among junctions which reduce vibration resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The latch metal integrates multiple functions into a single component: it acts as both the locking mechanism (latch) and the vibration-resistant element. The projection shaped latch part combines with the elastic member to create a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate leader cables and spacers, thereby reducing component count while maintaining vibration resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The latch metal serves as an intermediary element between the first housing and second housing, providing both mechanical locking and vibration absorption. The elastic member in the latch metal mediates the connection between housings, allowing for dimensional deviations while maintaining stable electrical continuity without requiring additional intermediary components like leader cables
2Reliability
If a spacer is inserted after mating of the connector, then the connector can be securely connected, but a plurality of connecting processes are required which increases man-hours for connection
Solution Approach 1:
The latch metal is pre-configured with the projection shaped latch part and elastic member before assembly. The groove for receiving the latch metal is pre-formed in the first housing, and the inclined plane is pre-formed on the second housing. This preliminary preparation allows the locking action to occur automatically during the single mating process, eliminating the need for subsequent spacer insertion steps
Solution Approach 2:
The connector performs self-locking through the elastic force of the latch metal. When the housings are mated, the latch part automatically projects and locks onto the inclined plane without requiring external intervention or additional components. The system serves itself by using the mating force to activate the locking mechanism, eliminating manual spacer insertion
3Weight of stationary object
If the connector is designed to be lightweight and compact, then the connector is easier to install and less bulky, but maintaining vibration resistance and electrical continuity in harsh environments becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The latch metal uses an elastic member that functions as a flexible element, allowing the connector to absorb vibration energy through elastic deformation rather than rigid resistance. This flexible approach maintains electrical continuity under vibration while keeping the connector lightweight and compact, as the elastic member can be made from thin, lightweight materials
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
The connector maintains long-term integrity and stable electrical continuity in harsh environments by canceling out dimensional errors and providing resistance to high-acceleration vibrations, while being lightweight and compact.
Implementation Method 1
the latch metal is an elastic member, and is configured so that, at the time of mating of the second housing with the first housing, the latch part projects from the opening portion and contacts the predetermined inclined plane due to elastic force
Data Source
AI summary
In an electrical connector, a female housing is made to mate with a male housing. The female housing has guide ways each formed perpendicularly to a direction of mating of the male housing with the female housing. In the guide ways, a latch metal is disposed. The guide ways of the female housing respectively have opening portions from each of which the corresponding latch part of the latch metal is capable of projecting toward the male housing. When the male housing is inserted into the female housing, the latch parts are respectively projected from the opening portions of the female housing toward the male housing. The latch parts are respectively locked at predetermined inclined planes a formed on the male housing.