Connector Lock Structure for Low-Backlash Final Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector structures suffer from significant backlash and poor electrical continuity due to large sliding friction at the terminal contact points, which prevents the fitting position guarantee lock from moving from a temporary to a final locking position when connectors are half-fitted.
Innovation Solution
A connector structure with a first and second connector, and a fitting position guarantee lock that includes flexible arms and locking portions, allowing the lock to smoothly transition from a temporary to a final locking position by utilizing inclined surfaces and ribs to reduce backlash and enhance engagement between the connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connectors are fitted with large backlash, then the fitting position guarantee lock cannot move from temporary to final locking position, but reducing backlash increases sliding friction at terminal contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple locking portions (first, second, third locking portions) and corresponding arms, creating a staged locking process with temporary and final locking positions. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the friction barrier by breaking the motion into manageable steps rather than a single continuous movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The third locking portion performs a preliminary action by riding over the first locking portion and engaging with it first, creating a temporary locking position. This preliminary engagement prepares the system for the final locking action, allowing the fitting position guarantee lock to eventually reach the final locking position despite the friction barrier.
2Ease of operation
If the fitting position guarantee lock is slidable in fitting direction, then it can transition between locking positions, but large backlash prevents complete engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed with localized flexibility only at their distal ends, while maintaining rigidity in other portions. This local quality allows the distal ends to deform and absorb backlash, enabling precise engagement of locking portions while maintaining the overall sliding capability of the fitting position guarantee lock.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic flexible connection at the distal ends of the arms. This dynamics allows the arms to adapt their shape during engagement, absorbing manufacturing tolerances and backlash, and enabling the locking portions to engage precisely despite the slidable nature of the lock.
3Reliability
If multiple locking portions and flexible arms are used, then engagement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking portions and flexible arms are merged into a single integrated fitting position guarantee lock assembly rather than separate components. This merging maintains the reliability benefits of multiple locking stages while reducing overall device complexity by consolidating the structure into one unified component.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting position guarantee lock serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides temporary and final locking, guides the fitting process, and ensures precise engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining high reliability while controlling device complexity.
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 effectively reduces backlash and improves electrical continuity by generating restoring forces that sandwich the connectors, allowing the fitting position guarantee lock to move seamlessly to the final locking position, thereby enhancing the connection stability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a second arm whose distal end is flexible in the protrusion direction
Data Source
AI summary
A connector structure includes a first connector, a second connector configured to be fitted with the first connector, and a fitting position guarantee lock attached to the second connector in a manner of being slidable in a fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector. The fitting position guarantee lock includes a second arm whose distal end is flexible in a protrusion direction, a fourth locking portion provided at the distal end of the second arm and configured to ride over a third locking portion and to be engaged with the third locking portion, a third arm whose distal end is flexible in the protrusion direction, and a fifth locking portion provided at the distal end of the third arm and configured to ride over the second locking portion and to be engaged with the second locking portion at a final locking position.