Connector Lock Arm Multi-Surface Holding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face challenges in reliably holding a detector at an initial position without enlarging the connector dimensions, as the contact area between the lock arm and resilient arm is limited, restricting the movement of the detector to the detection position.
Innovation Solution
The connector design incorporates a lock arm with a first receiving surface and two second receiving surfaces positioned to sandwich the first receiving surface, along with a resilient arm featuring a first butting portion and two second butting portions that contact these surfaces, ensuring a wide contact area and stable posture without increasing the connector's dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the area of the movement restricting surface and locking surface is increased to enhance holding force, then the holding force for the detector at initial position is improved, but the connector dimensions are enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane contact interface to a three-dimensional multi-surface contact system. The lock arm includes a first receiving surface and two second receiving surfaces positioned at different locations, creating a spatial distribution of contact points that increases holding force without expanding the overall connector footprint. This dimensional approach allows the resilient arm to engage multiple surfaces simultaneously, distributing the holding force across a larger effective area while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact interface is segmented into multiple discrete receiving surfaces (first receiving surface and two second receiving surfaces) rather than using a single large surface. This segmentation allows each surface to contribute to the holding force independently, creating a cumulative effect that enhances reliability without requiring a proportional increase in overall contact area. The resilient arm correspondsingly has segmented butting portions that engage these separate surfaces.
2Reliability
If the detector is held reliably at initial position with increased contact area, then the holding function is improved, but the resilient arm cannot be positioned close to the housing body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of the receiving surfaces on the lock arm, positioning the first and two second receiving surfaces at different locations and orientations. This allows the resilient arm to engage these surfaces while maintaining a compact profile close to the housing body. The multi-surface configuration creates holding force through spatial distribution rather than requiring increased distance from the housing body.
3Volume of moving object
If the connector dimensions are kept compact, then the device size is reduced, but the holding force for the detector is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The holding force is generated through multiple segmented contact points (first receiving surface and two second receiving surfaces) rather than a single large contact area. Each receiving surface contributes to the total holding force, allowing the connector to maintain compact dimensions while achieving sufficient holding force through the cumulative effect of multiple engagement points. The resilient arm's corresponding segmented butting portions engage these surfaces simultaneously.
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
This configuration enhances the holding force at the initial position, allowing the detector to be reliably held without enlarging the connector, while maintaining a compact design by ensuring the resilient arm can be maximally close to the housing body.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient arm cantilevered forward on the detector and resiliently displaceable in the directions toward and away from the outer surface of the housing body
Implementation Method 2
The lock arm is resiliently displaceable toward and away from the outer surface of the housing body
Data Source
AI summary
A lock arm is formed with a first receiving surface and two second receiving surfaces, and the second receiving surfaces are disposed to sandwich the first receiving surface from both sides in a width direction intersecting a resilient displacing direction of the lock arm. A resilient arm of a detector includes a first butting portion configured to butt against the first receiving surface, a separation restricting portion projecting farther forward than the first butting portion from a position closer to a housing body than the first butting portion, and two second butting portions projecting from both widthwise outer side surfaces of the resilient arm. The second butting portions restrict a movement of the detecting member at an initial position to a detection position by butting against the second receiving surfaces.