Connector Lock Assembly With Guided Stop for Impact Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies face issues with maintaining a reliable locking mechanism, especially when subjected to impact, as resiliently deformed components tend to lose contact, leading to unintended disengagement.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly incorporates a mating holding member and a mating lock member with a mating lock portion facing downward, coupled with a holding member and a lock member that includes a guide projection and abutment portion, which restricts movement and prevents resilient deformation, ensuring a secure lock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the contact portion is pushed by the step and moved toward the held portion, then the contact angle becomes smaller and the mating contact can come off easily, but the locking mechanism becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The guide projection and guide groove are configured to preliminarily guide the movement direction of the lock member before the abutment portion engages the stop portion. This preliminary guidance ensures that the lock member moves along a predetermined path, preventing unintended resilient deformation and maintaining reliable locking even during disengagement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutment portion and stop portion act as intermediary elements between the lock member and the housing. When the lock member moves horizontally, the abutment portion engages the stop portion to restrict movement, preventing the lock member from undergoing excessive resilient deformation that would compromise locking reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lock member is allowed to move freely toward the held portion, then the coupling portion can deform resiliently, but the lock portion may move excessively and lose locking capability
Solution Approach 1:
The guide projection and guide groove establish a predetermined movement path for the lock member before horizontal displacement occurs. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the lock member does move, it follows a controlled trajectory, allowing necessary resilient deformation while preventing excessive movement that would cause loss of locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls the movement parameters of the lock member by introducing the abutment portion and stop portion. These elements restrict the horizontal movement distance of the lock portion, thereby controlling the degree of resilient deformation of the coupling portion. The parameter change ensures that the lock member has enough flexibility to engage and disengage while maintaining sufficient locking force.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector assembly comprises a connector and a mating connector mateable with each other. The mating connector comprises a mating lock member having a mating lock portion. The connector comprises a holding member and a lock member. The holding member has a holding portion and a stop portion. The lock member has a held portion and a lock portion. The held portion is held by the holding portion. The lock portion is located below the mating lock portion and faces the mating lock portion in the upper-lower direction under the mated state. The coupling portion has an abutment portion. When the lock portion is moved toward the held portion in the first horizontal direction in accordance with removal of the connector from the mating connector, the abutment portion is brought into abutment with the stop portion so that a movement of the lock portion is restricted.