Connector Lock Arm Deformation Space for Reliable Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector designs suffer from reduced locking reliability due to a through hole in the lock arm that compromises the resilient force, leading to unreliable engagement with the mating housing.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a resiliently deformable lock arm with a deformation space and an accommodating recess that allows the detector to move into the recess upon proper connection, enhancing locking reliability by maintaining the lock arm's strength and reducing its height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a through hole is formed in the lock arm to allow detector movement, then the detector can detect proper connection, but the resilient force of the lock arm is reduced and locking reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm is divided into two functional regions: a through hole region for detector access and a deformation space region for resilient engagement. This segmentation allows the detector to move through the lock arm without compromising the structural integrity of the engagement portion, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and locking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation space acts as an intermediary structure between the through hole and the engagement portion. It allows the detector to pass through while maintaining the resilient force of the lock arm by providing a dedicated space for deformation without requiring a through hole that would compromise structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the lock arm is made stronger to improve locking reliability, then engagement is more secure, but the connector height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation space is created by utilizing the height dimension efficiently, allowing the lock arm to have sufficient thickness for resilient engagement while keeping the overall connector height compact. The deformation space enables the lock arm to bend and engage without requiring excessive height, maintaining both reliability and compact dimensions.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the detector is positioned to face the accommodating recess, then proper connection is detected, but the detector and lock arm overlap in the deforming direction increasing height
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is nested within the accommodating recess of the lock arm when in the detection position. This nesting arrangement allows the detector to face the recess for accurate connection detection while being contained within the lock arm's structure, avoiding additional height increase from external positioning.
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 improves locking reliability by maintaining the lock arm's strength and reducing the connector's height, ensuring secure engagement and efficient detection of proper connection.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deformable lock arm projects from the housing main body... The lock arm can resiliently engage a lock receiving portion of the mating housing to hold the housing main body connected to the mating housing
Data Source
AI summary
A lock arm (12) is cantilevered back from a front end part of a housing main body (11). The lock arm (12) includes an accommodating recess (31) that is open toward a deformation space (25) therefor and toward the back. When the housing main body (11) is connected properly to a mating housing (50) and a detector (70) is pushed from a standby position to a detection position, a part of the detector (70) is inserted into the accommodating recess (31).