Vertical Connector Lock Structure for Loud Click and Easy Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
When connectors with a large number of terminals are mated, the mating speed is slow, resulting in a weak click sound, and there is a need for a mechanism that produces a larger click sound and allows for easy unlocking without additional operations.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly features a lock mechanism with a resiliently deformable support portion that strikes a catch surface at high speed, producing a large click sound even at slow mating speeds, and can be unlocked by pulling the second connector upward, utilizing a cantilevered spring portion with a fulcrum above the locked surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connectors with a large number of terminals are mated, then the connection reliability is improved, but the mating speed becomes slow and the click sound becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a resiliently deformable support portion, a locked portion with locked surface, a catch portion with catch surface, and a spring portion with fulcrum. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling the lock mechanism to operate effectively even at slow mating speeds while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion is designed to be resiliently deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust during the locking process. The locked portion rapidly moves rearward and strikes the catch surface with high speed impact, generating a clear click sound even when the overall mating speed is slow. This dynamic behavior ensures reliable locking feedback without requiring fast mating speed.
2Reliability
If connectors with a large number of terminals are mated, then the connection reliability is improved, but the click sound intensity becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism creates a dynamic striking action where the locked portion rapidly moves rearward and strikes the catch surface with high speed impact. This high-speed impact generates a large click sound that is easily detectable, providing clear feedback that the connectors are properly mated and locked, even when the overall mating process is slow.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the parameters of the locking action by creating a rapid rearward movement of the locked portion that strikes the catch surface. This transforms the slow mating motion into a high-speed impact event, generating sufficient acoustic energy for a clear click sound while maintaining the slow overall mating speed needed for reliable connection of multiple terminals.
3Reliability
If the lock mechanism uses a traditional locking structure, then the locking reliability is improved, but the unlocking operation becomes complex requiring additional operations
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion is positioned with its fulcrum above the locked surface, creating a cantilevered structure that automatically unlocks when the connector is pulled upward. The mechanical geometry of the system causes the locked portion to disengage from the catch surface during normal extraction, eliminating the need for separate unlocking operations while maintaining secure locked state during use.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring a positive action to unlock (such as pressing a release button or rotating a latch), the mechanism is designed so that the natural extraction motion itself triggers the unlocking. The fulcrum position above the locked surface creates a moment arm that automatically disengages the lock during pull-out, inverting the traditional approach where unlocking requires an additional deliberate action.
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 design ensures a clear click sound is produced during mating and allows for effortless unlocking of the mated state by pulling the second connector upward, addressing the issues of slow mating speed and weak click sounds in connectors with many terminals.
Implementation Method 1
the spring portion (70) is resiliently deformable
Implementation Method 2
the locked portion (72) strikes the catch surface (46) at high speed, a large click sound is produced
Implementation Method 3
The thus-cantilevered support portion (704) has a fulcrum which is located above and forward of the locked surface (74)
Implementation Method 4
a forward moment about the fulcrum of the support portion (704) is applied to the spring portion (70)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A first connector and a second connector of this connector assembly can mutually connect along the vertical direction. The first connector comprises a first housing provided with a sliding surface, a locking surface, and a receiving surface. The locking surface intersects, at an angle of 90° or less, with a line segment extending straight upward from the locking surface . The second connector comprises a second housing provided with a spring section and a locked section. The locked section can move forward and backward as the spring section elastically deforms. The locked section has a locked surface. When the second connector is in a separated state of being separated from the first connector, the locked surface intersects, at an angle of 90° or less, with a line segment extending straight upward from the locked surface. In a fitting step, the locked section moves downward while being pressed against the sliding surface. The locked section abuts the receiving surface upon moving downward on the sliding surface.