Connector Lock Arm Detection Member Elastic Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face challenges in maintaining a secure holding force after engagement due to the risk of plastic deformation of the lock arm when external forces are applied or when an electric wire is caught, leading to difficulties in elastic restoration and secure engagement.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a flexible lock arm with a detection member that includes guide rails, a rib, and protruding bodies, allowing relative movement between temporary and main locking positions, which helps in securely locking the housing and preventing deformation by maintaining the lock arm's elastic state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lock arm is made flexible to enable locking and release operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of plastic deformation beyond elastic restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The detection member is positioned in advance to restrict the lock arm's movement range before plastic deformation occurs. By pre-establishing mechanical constraints through the detection member's interaction with the lock arm, the system prevents excessive deformation that would lead to plastic deformation, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection member acts as an intermediary between the lock arm and the housing. It monitors and controls the lock arm's deformation during locking and release operations, providing a mechanical feedback mechanism that prevents the lock arm from exceeding its elastic deformation limits, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the lock arm is allowed to deform freely during transport without engagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability worsens due to risk of plastic deformation from external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The detection member provides preliminary anti-action by restricting the lock arm's movement during transport before external forces can cause plastic deformation. The mechanical constraint imposed by the detection member counteracts potential harmful deformations, allowing the lock arm to remain flexible during transport while preventing damage that would compromise future locking operations.
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 effectively secures the holding force after engagement by preventing plastic deformation of the lock arm and ensuring reliable engagement, even under external loads, by utilizing the detection member's movement to maintain the lock arm's elastic state.
Implementation Method 1
a lock arm of a housing is elastically deformed, and a locking portion of the lock arm is caused to pass over a locked portion provided in a counterpart housing, thereby elastically restoring the lock arm
Implementation Method 2
a detection member that is assembled to the housing and capable of relative movement in an engagement direction and a detachment direction with respect to the housing between a temporary locking position and a main locking position
Data Source
AI summary
A lock arm includes a pair of guide rails protruding toward side walls, extending in a detachment direction, and formed to have a part on the detachment direction side facing a direction away from a main body. A detection member includes a rib positioned on the detachment direction side of an abutment surface and positioned to be sandwiched between the main body and a locking protrusion, and is relatively movable with respect to a housing between a fixing position and the main locking position, the fixing position at which a distal end of a detection arm opposes a locking portion in the engagement direction, the locking protrusion is sandwiched between the rib and the main body while opposing the abutment surface in an insertion and removal direction, and a protruding body is positioned to oppose the part of the guide rail on the detachment direction side.