Electric Power Connector Latching Mechanism Reduces Operation Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power connectors with anti-loosening mechanisms require significant force for engagement and disengagement, making it difficult for individuals with weaker hand strength, such as the elderly or children, to properly connect and disconnect them.
Innovation Solution
An electric power connector with a latching function that includes a carrier, clamping members, a driven element, a sliding element with a rack and pushing portion, and a gear, allowing for easy latching and unlatching by rotating the gear to slide the sliding element and push the driven element, ensuring a secure connection without excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an anti-loosening ring or anti-loosening arm is used to prevent separation, then connection reliability is improved, but operation force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a latching mechanism that transitions from a static anti-loosening structure to a dynamic self-locking system. The driven element moves between a first position (disengaged) and a second position (engaged), automatically latching the connective terminal without requiring continuous force application. This dynamic transition allows the connector to maintain reliable connection with minimal holding force, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and operation force requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism embodies the self-service principle by designing a system that automatically secures the connective terminal once engaged. The driven element, when actuated to the second position, automatically latches the terminal in place without requiring additional force or intervention. The mechanism serves itself by maintaining the latched state through its own structural design, eliminating the need for continuous external force application and thereby reducing operation force requirements while ensuring reliable connection.
2Ease of operation
If a gear and rack mechanism is introduced for latching, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear and rack mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user's rotational input and the linear motion required to actuate the driven element. The gear converts rotational motion into linear displacement of the rack, which in turn moves the driven element between its first and second positions. This intermediary mechanism provides mechanical advantage, allowing users with weaker hand strength to operate the connector easily while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of standard gear and rack components.
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 solution enables a firmly latched connection that prevents improper separation of the connectors while allowing for easy operation, making it suitable for users with weaker hand strength.
Implementation Method 1
a gear rotatably connected to the carrier and engaged with the rack. The sliding element is configured to slide relative to the carrier by controlling the gear to rotate
Implementation Method 2
The sliding element is configured to slide relative to the carrier by controlling the gear to rotate. The pushing portion moves with the sliding element to push the driven element to shift
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power connector for a connective terminal to be plugged in, which includes a carrier, a clamping member, a driven element, a sliding element, and a gear. The clamping member is disposed in the carrier and clamps the connective terminal. The driven element is movably disposed in the carrier and is arranged correspondingly to the clamping member. The sliding element is slidably connected in the carrier and includes a rack and a pushing portion. The gear is rotatably connected to the carrier and engages with the rack. The sliding element is configured to slide relative to the carrier by controlling the gear to rotate. The pushing portion moves with the sliding element to push the driven element to shift to force the clamping member to latch the connective terminal.