Connector Lock Arm Support for Stronger Lock Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face challenges in providing a strong lock feeling during connection due to increased connection resistance when the lock arm is shaped as a beam supported on both ends, which deteriorates workability, and the design of the female housing is often fixed, limiting shape changes.
Innovation Solution
A connector design where the lock arm is resiliently deformable with a front end as a fulcrum, intersecting the front-rear direction, and the second connector includes a lock portion and contact portions to support the rear end of the lock arm, allowing for increased reaction force and improved lock feeling without altering the first connector's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the lock arm is shaped as a beam supported on both ends to improve lock feeling, then the resilient returning speed increases, but the connection resistance increases and workability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm transitions from a static beam shape to a dynamic cantilever structure that changes its support conditions during operation. Initially supported only at the front end (cantilever), it becomes supported at both ends when the contact portion engages, providing dynamic adaptability that resolves the contradiction between resilient returning speed and connection resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The support position of the lock arm changes from fixed (front end only) to variable (front end and contact portion) during connection. This parameter change allows the lock arm to have different effective lengths and stiffness characteristics at different stages, improving both workability and lock feeling
2Force
If the lock arm is shaped as a beam supported on both ends to improve lock feeling, then the reaction force increases, but the housing body size must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extended from a single-point support at the front end to a two-point support system by adding the contact portion in the rearward direction. This dimensional extension allows the lock arm to generate higher reaction force without increasing the housing body volume, as the contact portion utilizes the existing connector structure
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 design enhances the lock feeling by increasing the reaction force of the lock arm during connection, reduces connection resistance, and allows for a smaller housing body while maintaining a larger resilient deformation amount, without requiring changes to the first connector's shape.
Implementation Method 1
the lock arm being resiliently deformable in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction with a front end part as a fulcrum
Implementation Method 2
a contact portion located behind the lock portion for contacting a rear end part of the lock arm resiliently deformed in the process of connecting the first and second connectors and suppressing a displacement of the rear end part
Data Source
AI summary
A connector 10 includes a first connector 20 and a second connector 60 connectable to each other. The first connector 20 includes a lock arm 28 extending in a front-rear direction and resiliently deformable in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction with a front end part 31 as a fulcrum. The second connector 60 includes a lock portion 67 to be locked to the lock arm 28 and a contact portion 73 located behind the lock portion 67 for contacting a rear end part 34 of the lock arm 28 resiliently deformed in the process of connecting the first and second connectors 20, 60 and suppressing a displacement of the rear end part 34 in a resilient deformation direction of the lock arm.